Manufacture of factor H (FH) and FH-derivatives from plasma

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compositions and pharmaceutical formulations of Factor H derived from plasma. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of the Factor H compositions and formulations, as well as methods for the treatment of diseases associated with Factor H dysfunction.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/633,057 filed Oct. 1, 2012, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/842,944 filed Jul. 23, 2010, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/227,968 filed Jul.23, 2009, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Unlike other biologics that are produced via recombinant expression ofDNA vectors in host cell lines, plasma-derived proteins are fractionatedfrom human blood and plasma donations. Thus, the supply of theseproducts cannot be increased by simply increasing the volume ofproduction. Rather the level of commercially available blood products islimited by the available supply of blood and plasma donations. Thisdynamic results in a shortage in the availability of raw human plasmafor the manufacture of new plasma-derived blood factors that have lesserestablished commercial markets, including Complement Factor H(CFH).

Factor H (FH) is a member of the regulators of complement activationfamily and is a complement control protein. It is a large (155kilodaltons), soluble glycoprotein that circulates in human plasma (at aconcentration of 500-800 micrograms per milliliter). Its main job is toregulate the Alternative Pathway of the complement system, ensuring thatthe complement system is directed towards pathogens and does not damagehost tissue. Factor H regulates complement activation on self cells bypossessing both cofactor activity for Factor H mediated C3b cleavage,and decay accelerating activity against the alternative pathway C3convertase, C3bBb. Thus, Factor H protects self cells, but not foreignpathogens (e.g., bacteria, protists, and viruses), from complementactivation by binding to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that are present onthe surface of human cells, but not on the pathogenic cell surfaces.

Due to its regulatory role in complement activation, Factor H has beenimplicated as a potential therapeutic agent for several human diseasestates, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), hemolyticuremic syndrome (aHUS) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(MPGN). While a causal relationship between the single nucleotidepolymorphism (SNP) in complement control protein (CCP) module 7 ofFactor H and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has beencharacterized, medicaments based on this causal relationship have thusfar not been identified.

Due in part to the increasing global demand and fluctuations in theavailable supply of plasma-derived blood products, such asimmunoglobulin products, several countries, including Australia andEngland, have implemented demand management programs to protect suppliesof these products for the highest demand patients during times ofproduct shortages.

For example, it has been reported that in 2007, 26.5 million liters ofplasma were fractionated, generating 75.2 metric tons of IVIG, with anaverage production yield of 2.8 grams per liter (Robert P., supra). Thissame report estimated that global IVIG yields are expected to increaseto about 3.43 grams per liter by 2012. However, due to the continuedgrowth in global demand for IVIG, projected at between about 7% and 13%annually between now and 2015, more raw plasma will need to be dedicatedto immunoglobulin purification to meet the demand in spite of theexpected improvement of the overall IVIG yield. This requirement willlimit the availability of plasma for the manufacture of newplasma-derived blood products.

Due to the lack of plasma available for the manufacture of newplasma-derived products, their manufacture must be integrated into theexisting framework of the established manufacturing processes forplasma-derived products such as immunoglobulins and albumin. Factor H,implicated as a potential therapeutic for AMD, aHUS, and MPGN, amongother conditions, is one such plasma-derived blood product that isgaining the attention of physicians. However, due to the resourcesdevoted to, for example, IgG gamma globulin manufacture, methods areneeded for the manufacture of Factor H that can be introduced into theexisting manufacturing schemes. Several methods have been suggested toachieve just this, however, many of these proposed solutions requiremodification of the existing manufacturing scheme for establishedproducts. Such changes will require new regulatory approvals for theestablished products and may even result in alterations of thecharacteristics of the established products.

For example, WO 2007/066017 describes methods for the production ofFactor H preparations from the supernatant of a cryoprecipitate. Thedisclosed method consists of preparing a supernatant of acryoprecipitate, submitting the supernatant to anion exchangechromatography (AEC), submitting the flow through from the AEC toheparin affinity chromatography (HAC), submitting the relevant eluatefrom the HAC to strong cation exchange chromatography (CEC), submittingthe relevant eluate from the CEC to strong anion exchange chromatography(sAEC) and eluting the Factor H from the sAEC. Disadvantageously,cryoprecipitate supernatants are common intermediate fractions in themanufacturing processes of many commercially important plasma-derivedblood products, including IgG gamma globulins (IVIG and subcutaneous)and albumin. Submitting this fraction to chromatography steps will alterthe cryoprecipitate supernatant and would require that the manufacturingprocesses of the established downstream blood products be adapted inunknown fashions. In addition to requiring a complete revalidation andpossible redesign of these manufacturing processes, regulatoryre-approval of the manufacturing procedures from key regulatory agenciesis needed.

Likewise, WO 2008/113589 describes methods for the production of FactorH preparations from human plasma. Specifically, this publicationdescribes the purification of Factor H from three known plasmaprocessing fractions, namely a Cohn-Oncley Fraction I supernatant, aCohn-Oncley Fraction III precipitate, and a Kistler/NitschmannPrecipitate B fraction. With respect to the first method, WO 2008/113589discloses that Factor H can be removed from a Cohn-Oncley Fraction Isupernatant by the addition of a heparin affinity chromatography step.Disadvantageously, the Cohn-Oncley Fraction I supernatant is a commonintermediate fraction in the manufacturing processes of manycommercially important plasma-derived blood products, including IgGgamma globulins (IVIG and subcutaneous) and albumin. Similarly, manyimmunoglobulin (e.g., IgG, IVIG, etc.) manufacturing processes do notrely on Cohn-Oncley Fraction III precipitation or Kistler/NitschmannPrecipitate B steps, for example Gammagard® Liquid and Kiovig (BaxterInternational Inc.). The disadvantage of the introduction of additionalsteps, such as a heparin affinity chromatography, Fraction IIIprecipitation, or Precipitate B steps, into the manufacturing schemes ofestablished blood products, as outlined above, is that it requiresrevalidation of the manufacturing procedure, regulatory re-approval ofthe manufacturing procedures from key regulatory agencies, and mayfurther have unforeseen consequences for the yield and/or purity of theotherwise established product.

As such, a need remains in the art for methods of manufacturing Factor Hthat do not require the use of additional input plasma or the redesignand regulatory re-approval of existing manufacturing processes forcommercially important plasma-derived blood products, such as albuminand IgG gamma globulins for intravenous (IVIG) or subcutaneousadministration. Advantageously, the present invention fulfills these andother needs by providing methods of manufacturing Factor H that relyentirely on previously unused manufacturing byproducts. Among otheraspects, the present invention also provides novel Factor H compositionsand methods for treating Factor H and complement-related diseases anddisorders.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among other aspects, the present invention provides methods forpreparing enriched compositions of plasma-derived Factor H.Advantageously, the methods provided herein allow for theindustrial-scale preparation of Factor H compositions from materialsotherwise discarded during the preparation of other commerciallyimportant blood products by plasma fractionation.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing anenriched Factor H composition from plasma by extracting Factor H from aFraction II+III filter cake. In one embodiment, the method involves thecapture of Factor H from a Fraction II+III suspension by a solid phaseand separation from the resulting Fraction II+III suspension.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method forpreparing an enriched Factor H composition from plasma by extractingFactor H from a Fraction I precipitate.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides aqueous compositionsof plasma-derived Factor H prepared from materials otherwise discardedduring the preparation of other commercially important blood products byplasma fractionation, for example, IgG gamma globulins.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceuticalcompositions of plasma-derived Factor H prepared from materialsotherwise discarded during the preparation of other commerciallyimportant blood products by plasma fractionation, for example, IgG gammaglobulins.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating adisease or disorder associated with Factor H dysfunction in a subject inneed thereof by administering a therapeutically effective dose of aFactor H composition prepared from materials otherwise discarded duringthe preparation of other commercially important blood products by plasmafractionation. Diseases and disorders associated with Factor Hdysfunction include, but are not limited to, Complement Factor H(CFH)deficiency, atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD), membranoproliferative glomulonephritis typeII, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease/coronary arterydisease (CAD/CHD), and Alzheimer's disease

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating adisease or disorder associated with abnormal alternative pathwaycomplement activity in a subject in need thereof by administering atherapeutically effective dose of a Factor H composition prepared frommaterials otherwise discarded during the preparation of othercommercially important blood products by plasma fractionation. Diseasesand disorders associated with abnormal alternative pathway complementactivity include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, IgAnephropathy, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ischemiareperfusion injury.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a composition of Factor Hprepared by extracting Factor H from a Fraction I precipitate orFraction II+III filter cake. In one embodiment of the Factor Hcompositions provided herein, at least 90% of the protein content of thecomposition is Factor H. In another embodiment, at least 95% of theprotein content of the composition is Factor H.

In one embodiment of the Factor H compositions provided herein, thecomposition is formulated for pharmaceutical administration. In oneembodiment of the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein, at least90% of the protein content of the composition is Factor H. In anotherembodiment, at least 95% of the protein content of the pharmaceuticalcomposition is Factor H. In one embodiment of the pharmaceuticalcompositions provided herein, the concentration of Factor H is betweenabout 1% and about 25%.

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of Factor H isformulated for intravenous, intravitreal, or subcutaneousadministration. In one specific embodiment, the composition isformulated for intravenous administration. In one embodiment, thecomposition is formulated for treatment of atypical haemolytic uremicsyndrome (aHUS). In another specific embodiment, the composition isformulated for intravitreal administration. In one embodiment, thecomposition is formulated for treatment of age-related maculardegeneration (AMD).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treatinga disease associated with Factor H dysfunction in a subject in needthereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effectivedose of a Factor H composition according to a method provided herein. Inone embodiment, the disease or condition associated with Factor Hdysfunction is selected from the group consisting of age-related maculardegeneration, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and membranoproliferativeglomerulonephritis.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treatinga disease associated with abnormal alternative pathway complementactivity in a subject in need thereof, the method comprisingadministering a therapeutically effective dose of a Factor H compositionaccording to a method provided herein. In one embodiment, the diseaseassociated with abnormal alternative pathway complement activity isselected from the group consisting of an autoimmune disease, a renaldisease, asthma, Alzheimer disease, adult macular degeneration, proximalnocturnal hemoglobinuria, abdominal aortic aneurism, ischemiareperfusion injury, and sepsis. In a specific embodiment, the autoimmunedisease is selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis,IgA nephropathy, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiplesclerosis, Anti-Phospholipid syndrome, ANCA-associated vasculitis,pemphigus, uveitis, myathemia gravis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Overview of an exemplary plasma fractionation scheme.

FIG. 2A-D. Chromatographs of (A) DEAE Sepharose™ and (B) HeparinSepharose™ enrichment steps of a Factor H manufacturing processutilizing a Fraction II+III filter cake as the starting material.SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis of the (C) DEAE Sepharose™ and (D)Heparin Sepharose™ chromatography.

FIG. 3. SDS-PAGE analysis comparing a commercial preparation of Factor H(CompTech; lane 2) to Factor H compositions prepared from Fraction Iprecipitate (lane 4) and Fraction II+III filter cake (lane 6).

FIG. 4. Amount of Factor H, expressed as a percentage of total protein,found in various fractions of an exemplary plasma fractionation scheme.

FIG. 5. Factor H inhibition of alternative complement activation usingFactor H recovered from a Fraction II+III filter cake.

FIG. 6. Comparison of the Factor I cofactor activity of a commercialpreparation of Factor H (CompTech; ♦) to Factor H compositions preparedfrom Fraction I precipitate (▴) and Fraction II+III filter cake (▪).

FIG. 7. SDS-PAGE analysis of Factor H extracted from a Fraction II+IIIfilter cake using an EDTA extraction buffer (lane 3; 20 mM Tris (pH8.0), 5 mM EDTA, 200 mM sodium chloride) or a phosphate extractionbuffer (lane 4; 100 mM Sodium phosphate (pH 7.5), 150 mM sodiumchloride). Samples were normalized through dilution to 500 μg/ml FactorH content (measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)) beforeloading to the gel (7.5% Mini-Protean® TGX™ Gel, Bio-Rad®). Lane 1contains a Factor H standard (1.05 mg/ml, 97% purity, Calbiochem®; totalload of 5 μg) and lane 2 contains standard protein molecular weightmarker (Precision Plus Protein™ Standards, Bio-Rad®). Both buffersystems extracted the Factor H efficiently.

FIG. 8. Quantitation of the amount of Factor H (g FH/L plasma, asmeasured by ELISA) extracted from a Fraction II+III filter cake bycontinuous recirculation of an extraction buffer (phosphate/sodiumchloride) through the filter for between 10 and 60 minutes. Totalaverage yield for combined filtrate and post-rinse fractions is shown asthe last bar.

FIG. 9. SDS-PAGE analysis of the resulting protein contents fromprecipitations performed on Factor H solutions extracted from a FractionII+III filter cake. Lane 1 contains standard protein molecular weightmarker (Precision Plus Protein™ Standards, Bio-Rad®); lane 2 contains aFactor H standard (1.05 mg/ml, 97% purity, Calbiochem; total load of 1μg); lanes 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 contain dissolved precipitates from PEGprecipitations (10%, 12.5%, 17.5%, 20%, and 12.5%+0.2% Tween,respectively); lanes 4, 6, 8, and 10 contain supernatants from PEGprecipitations (10%, 12.5%, 17.5%, and 20%, respectively); lane 12contains a supernatant from a 15% ethanol precipitation performed at pH8.0; and lane 13 contains a dissolved precipitate from a 25% ethanolprecipitation performed at pH 6.0. Precipitation with ethanol as well aswith PEG are efficient. Only very small amounts of Factor H remained inthe supernatants.

FIG. 10A-C. (A) Chromatograph, (B) SDS-Page Analysis, and (C) Westernblot analysis of DEAE chromatography performed with step-wise elution ofa Factor H solution extracted from a Fraction II+III filter cake. Lane 1contains standard protein molecular weight markers; lane 2 contains asample of the Factor H solution loaded onto the DEAE resin; lanes 3 and4 contain samples of the flow through from the DEAE load; lane 5contains a sample of the 100 mM elution peak; lane 6 contains a sampleof the 100 mM elution shoulder; lane 7 contains a sample of the 155 mMelution peak; lane 8 contains a sample of the 230 mM elution peak; andlane 9 contains a commercial Factor H standard.

FIG. 11A-C. (A) Chromatograph, (B) SDS-Page Analysis, and (C) Westernblot analysis of Heparin Sepharose™ chromatography performed withstep-wise elution of a peak Factor H fraction enriched by DEAEchromatography. Lane 1 contains standard protein molecular weightmarkers; lane 2 contains a sample of the Factor H solution loaded ontothe heparin resin; lanes 3, 4, and 5 contain samples of the flow throughfrom the heparin load; lane 6 contains a sample of the 98 mM elutionpeak; lane 7 contains a sample of the 98 mM elution shoulder; lane 8contains a sample of the 204 mM elution peak; and lane 9 contains acommercial Factor H standard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. Introduction

Factor H has been implicated as a potential therapeutic agent forseveral human disease states, including age-related maculardegeneration, hemolytic uremic syndrome and membranoproliferativeglomerulonephritis (MPGN). Factor H is a relatively abundant plasmaprotein (0.5 to 0.8 mg/mL plasma), however, this protein is currentlydiscarded from the operations of various manufactures that specialize inthe fractionation of human plasma. Among other aspects, the presentinvention provides methods for the isolation of Factor H from discardfractions of various fractionation processes, for example, Cohn, Oncley,Cohn-Oncley, Deutsch, Nitschmann, Kistler, and similar fractionationprocesses, without affecting, disrupting, or altering the normal orestablished processing of the plasma used for the manufacture of otherplasma-derived products. Thus, in one aspect, the invention makes use ofdiscarded plasma fractions for the production of a useful medicament forthe treatment of AMD and other disorders.

Accordingly, in one aspect, it is an object of the invention to producea purified preparation of Factor H from a pooled plasma sample. In arelated aspect, the invention involves the use of such a purifiedfraction for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of AMD.

In one aspect, the present invention provides new methods for thepreparation of Factor H from pooled plasma. In specific embodiments, themethods are for the preparation of Factor H from pooled human plasma andcomprise the steps of: performing Cohn fractionation to obtain FractionII+III precipitates and preparing a suspension of the combinedprecipitates; filtering the re-suspended Fraction II+III precipitates toobtain the Aerosil® filter cake discard left behind after filtration ofthe Fraction II+III suspension; extracting the filter cake according toa method comprising the steps of: (i) dissolving the filter cake in asuitable buffer of appropriate ionic strength for a time sufficient todissolve the protein caked on said filter cake; (ii) diluting saiddissolved protein with additional buffer (iii) removing debris from thediluted protein; (iv) purifying Factor H protein from said dilutedprotein preparation by subjecting the diluted protein to ultrafiltrationon a 0.45 μm filter to produce a filtrate containing Factor H; (v)subjecting the filtrate containing Factor H to anion exchangechromatography using a NaCl gradient in the running buffer or a singlestep elution at a higher salt concentration to produce a pooled crudeFactor H fraction; and (vi) purifying Factor H from said crude Factor Hpreparation by Heparin Sepharose™ chromatography using a gradient ofNaCl or a single step elution at a higher salt concentration. In otherembodiments, Factor H may be recovered by using step elution off of achromatographic resin, such as an anion exchange resin or heparinaffinity resin.

While in specific embodiments, the anion exchange chromatography usesDEAE Sepharose™ as the anion exchange resin, it should be understoodthat any anion exchange resin can be used to perform the anion exchangechromatography.

Using the method described herein the purified Factor H produced is anactive Factor H preparation that is composed of a mixture of Tyr-402 andHis-402 isoforms in the range 50%±20% His-402: 50%±20% Tyr-402.

In certain purification steps, the method may further comprise additionof Factor I precipitate with the filter cake in step (c)(1).

In specific embodiments the buffer used is 25 mM Tris; 5 mM EDTA; 50 mMNaCl having a pH of 8.0.

The Factor H produced by the method described may further belyophilized.

Another aspect of the invention is a substantially purified Factor Hpreparation prepared according to a method described herein. Morespecifically, the Factor H preparation is an active Factor H preparationthat is composed of a mixture of Tyr-402 and His-402 isoforms in therange 50%±20% His-402: 50%±20% Tyr-402.

The invention further contemplates a method for limiting complementactivation resulting in delayed progression or onset of the developmentof age related macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, comprisingadministering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount ofFactor H preparation of the invention. The method of administration maybe carried out on a subject who does not have any symptoms of AMD but isof an age and history that suggests that the subject is at risk ofdeveloping such symptoms. In some embodiments, the subject has drusen.The method also may be used to effectively treat subjects that displaysigns and/or symptoms of AMD. The subject may for example have beendiagnosed with AMD.

In certain embodiments, the administration is intravenous. In otherembodiments, the administration is through eye drops or otherintravitreal route (e.g., intravitreal injection).

In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for limitingcomplement activation otherwise resulting in a disease or disorderassociated with Factor H dysfunction, including without limitation,Complement Factor H(CFH) deficiency, atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome(aHUS), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), membranoproliferativeglomulonephritis type II, myocardial infarction, coronary heartdisease/coronary artery disease (CAD/CHD), and Alzheimer's disease, or adiseases or disorder associated with abnormal alternative pathwaycomplement activity, including without limitation, rheumatoid arthritis,IgA nephropathy, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ischemiareperfusion injury by administering a therapeutically orprophylactically effective amount of a Factor H preparation providedherein.

Also contemplated is a method of treating a human subject judged to beat risk for the development of a disease or disorder associated withFactor H dysfunction, including without limitation, Complement FactorH(CFH) deficiency, atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS),age-related macular degeneration (AMD), membranoproliferativeglomulonephritis type II, myocardial infarction, coronary heartdisease/coronary artery disease (CAD/CHD), and Alzheimer's disease, or adiseases or disorder associated with abnormal alternative pathwaycomplement activity, including without limitation, rheumatoid arthritis,IgA nephropathy, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ischemiareperfusion injury, comprising the step of administering to the subjecta prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of a Factor Hpreparation of prepared according to the methods described herein, andperiodically repeating said administration. In some examples, theadministration is repeated for a time effective to delay the progressionor onset of the development of macular degeneration in said subject. Inspecific embodiments, the human subject is judged to be at risk for thedevelopment of age-related macular degeneration as identified based onthe presence of one or more genetic markers associated with developmentof age-related macular degeneration. For example, the genetic marker isa polymorphism. In one embodiment, the subject is diagnosed as at riskfor the development of AMD by the detection of a specific sequencevariant in the CFH gene. In some embodiments, the treatment method maybe performed on a subject that has not been diagnosed with AMD. Thetreatment may be performed alone or in combination with other treatmentsfor AMD. The treatment method may be administered to a subject that hasnot previously been treated for AMD, and as such is “treatment naïve”.

Another aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical preparation thatcomprises an active Factor H preparation prepared from a methoddescribed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

II. Definitions

As used herein, “Factor H” refers to a protein component of thealternative pathway of complement encoded by the complement factor Ggene (for example, CFH; NM000186; GeneID:3075; UniProt ID P08603;Ripoche et al., Biochem. J. 249:593-602 (1988)). Factor H is translatedas a 1,213 amino acid precursor polypeptide which is processed byremoval of an 18 amino acid signal peptide, resulting in the matureFactor H protein (amino acids 19-1231). As used in the presentinvention, Factor H encompasses any natural variants, alternativesequences, isoforms or mutant proteins that can be found in a plasmasample, for example a human plasma sample. Examples of Factor Hmutations found in the human population include, without limitation,Y402H; V62I; R78G; R127L; Δ224; Q400K; C431S; T493R; C536R; I551T;R567G; C630W; C673S; C673Y; E850K; S890I; H893R; C915S; E936D; Q950H;Y951H; T956M; C959Y; W978C; N997T; V1007I; V1007L; A1010T; T1017I;Y1021F; C1043R; N1050Y; I1059T; Q1076R; R1078S; D1119G; V1134G; Y1142D;Q1143E; W1157R; C1163W; W1183L; W1183R; T1184R; L1189R; S1191L; G1194D;V1197A; E1198A; F1199S; R1210C; R1215G; R1215Q; YPTCAKR1225:1231FQS; andP1226S. Many of the these mutations have been found to be associatedwith a variety of diseases and disorders, including, atypical haemolyticuremic syndrome (aHUS), age-related macular degeneration (AMD),membranoproliferative glomulonephritis type II (MPGNII), CFH deficiency,and basal laminar drusen. Factor H also includes proteins containingpost-translational modifications. For example, Factor H is believed tobe modified by N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) at residues 529, 718, 802,822, 882, 911, 1029, and 1095.

As used herein, “cryo-poor plasma” refers to the supernatant createdafter the removal of cryo-precipitate formed by thawing plasma or pooledplasma at temperatures near freezing, e.g., at temperatures below about10° C., preferably at a temperature no higher than about 6° C. In thecontext of the present invention, plasma may refer interchangeably torecovered plasma (i.e., plasma that has been separated from whole bloodex vivo) or source plasma (i.e., plasma collected via plasmapheresis).Cryo-precipitation is commonly performed, for example, by thawingpreviously frozen pooled plasma, which has already been assayed forsafety and quality considerations, although fresh plasma may also beused. After complete thawing of the frozen plasma at low temperature,separation of the solid cryo-precipitates from the liquid supernatant isperformed in the cold (e.g., ≦6° C.) by centrifugation of filtration.

As used herein, a “Cohn pool” refers to the starting material used forthe fractionation of a plasma sample or pool of plasma samples. Cohnpools include whole plasma, cryo-poor plasma samples, and pools ofcryo-poor plasma samples that may or may not have been subjected to apre-processing step. In certain embodiments, a Cohn pool is a cryo-poorplasma sample from which one or more blood factor have been removed in apre-processing step, for example, adsorption onto a solid phase (e.g.,aluminum hydroxide, finely divided silicon dioxide, etc.), orchromatographic step (e.g., ion exchange or heparin affinitychromatography). Various blood factors, including but not limited toFactor Eight Inhibitor Bypass Activity (FEIBA), Factor IX-complex,Factor VII-concentrate, or Antithrombin III-complex, may be isolatedfrom the cryo-poor plasma sample to form a Cohn pool.

As used herein, a “Fraction II+III filter cake” refers to a solid phaserecovered after the filtration or centrifugation of a Cohn-Oncley orequivalent Fraction II+III paste suspension. In a preferred embodiment,a Fraction II+III suspension will be treated with an adsorptivematerial, for example, finely divided silicon dioxide, to removeimpurities such as lipids, fibrinogen, amidolytic activity, prekallikrenactivity, and lipoproteins. In another preferred embodiment, filter aidmay be added to the Fraction II+III suspension prior to centrifugationor filtration. In a most preferred embodiment, a Fraction II+IIIsuspension will be treated with both an adsorptive material and a filteraid prior to centrifugation or filtration. Upon separation of theclarified Fraction II+III suspension supernatant, the recovered solidphase material is referred to as the Fraction II+III filter cake.

As used herein, “finely divided silicon dioxide” or “finely dividedsilica” refers to an oxide of silicon having the formula SiO₂,manufactured in a fashion that allows for the adsorption of Factor Honto its surface. Exemplary forms of finely divided silicon dioxidesuitable for use in the methods of the present invention include,without limitation, fumed silica, pyrogenic silica, Aerosil®,Cab-O-Sil™, colloidal silica, diatomaceous earth, and the like. In apreferred embodiment, a commercial hydrophilic fumed silica product isused for the methods provided herein. Non-limiting examples of theseproducts include those marketed by Evonik Industries under the tradename Aerosil® (e.g., Aerosil 90, Aerosil 130, Aerosil 150, Aerosil 200,Aerosil 300, Aerosil 380, Aerosil OX 50, Aerosil EG 50, Aerosil TT 600,Aerosil 200 SP, Aerosil 300 SP, and Aerosil 300/30).

As used herein, a “disease or disorder associated with Factor Hdysfunction” refers to any disease, disorder, or condition in a subjectthat is caused by, characterized by, or results in a reduced level ofFactor H activity in the subject. For purposes of the present invention,Factor H activity may refer to the ability of Factor H to bind a proteinor ligand, for example, C3b, C3bBb, C3b2Bb, csbC3b, complement factor B(CFB), C-reactive protein, endothelial cells, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs),or alternatively, may refer to its Factor I cofactor activity or itsability to accelerate the irreversible dissociation of C3bBb and C3b2Bb.In one embodiment, a disease or disorder associated with Factor Hdysfunction results in a C3 deficiency and susceptibility to bacterialinfections. In some instances, diseases or disorders associated withFactor H dysfunction include conditions that are caused by or linked tomutations and polymorphism in the CFH gene encoding Factor H (forreview, see, Barlow et al., Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008; 632:117-42, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes). Diseases that have been linked to mutations orpolymorphisms in the CFH gene include, without limitation, Factor Hdeficiency, atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD), membranoproliferative glomulonephritis typeII (MPGNII; de Cordoba and de Jorge, Clinical and ExperimentalImmunology 151, 1-13 (2008)), myocardial infarction (Kardys et al.,Journal of the American College of Cardiology 47, 1568-1575 (2006);Mooijaart et al., Experimental Gerontology 42, 1116-1122 (2007); Nicaudet al., Journal of Molecular Medicine 85, 771-775 (2007); Pai et al.,European Heart Journal 28, 1297-1303 (2007); Stark et al., ClinicalScience (Lond) 113, 213-218 (2007)), coronary heart disease/coronaryartery disease (CAD/CHD; (Meng et al., BMC Medical Genetics 8,62 (2007);Pulido et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings 82, 301-307 (2007); Topol et al.,Human Molecular Genetics 15 Spec No 2, R117-R123 (2006)), andAlzheimer's disease (Hamilton et al., Neuromolecular Medicine 9, 331-334(2007); Zetterberg et al., American Journal of Ophthalmology 143,1059-1060 (2007)). The disclosures of the forgoing references describingthe associations between mutations and polymorphisms in the CFH gene anddiseases associated with Factor H dysfunction are herein incorporated byreference in their entireties for all purposes.

As used herein, a “disease or disorder associated with abnormalalternative pathway complement activity” refers to a disease, disorder,or condition that results from uncontrolled or aberrant activation ofthe alternative pathway of complement. Generally, uncontrolled oraberrant activation of the alternative pathway of complement can resultin bystander damage of host cells and tissues, as well as a depletion ofC3 and corresponding susceptibility to pathogenic infections (e.g.,fungal, bacterial, viral, and protistal). Examples of diseases anddisorders associated with abnormal alternative pathway complementactivity include, without limitation, various autoimmune diseases (suchas rheumatoid arthritis, IgA nephropathy, asthma, systemic lupuserythematosus, multiple sclerosis, Anti-Phospholipid syndrome,ANCA-associated vasculitis, pemphigus, uveitis, myathemia gravis,Hashimoto's thyroiditis), Renal diseases (such as IgA nephropathy,hemolytic uremic syndrome, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis)other disease such as asthma, Alzheimer disease, adult maculardegeneration, proximal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, abdominal aorticaneurism, ischemia, and sepsis.

As used herein, the term “ultrafiltration (UF)” encompasses a variety ofmembrane filtration methods in which hydrostatic pressure forces aliquid against a semi-permeable membrane. Suspended solids and solutesof high molecular weight are retained, while water and low molecularweight solutes pass through the membrane. This separation process isoften used for purifying and concentrating macromolecular (10³-10⁶ Da)solutions, especially protein solutions. A number of ultrafiltrationmembranes are available depending on the size of the molecules theyretain. Ultrafiltration is typically characterized by a membrane poresize between 1 and 1000 kDa and operating pressures between 0.01 and 10bar.

As used herein, the term “diafiltration” is performed with the same or asimilar membrane as ultrafiltration and is typically performed in atangential flow filtration mode. During diafiltration, buffer isintroduced into the recycle tank while filtrate is removed from the unitoperation. In processes where the product is in the retentate (forexample, Factor H), diafiltration is particularly useful for separatingprotein from small molecules like sugars and salts. In certain cases,diafiltration can be used to exchange the solution, buffer, orindividual components of a buffering system.

As used herein, the term “about” denotes an approximate range of plus orminus 10% from a specified value. For instance, the language “about 20%”encompasses a range of 18-22%.

As used herein, the term “mixing” describes an act of causing equaldistribution of two or more distinct compounds or substances in asolution or suspension by any form of agitation. Complete equaldistribution of all ingredients in a solution or suspension is notrequired as a result of “mixing” as the term is used in thisapplication.

As used herein, the term “solvent” encompasses any liquid substancecapable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances. Asolvent may be inorganic in nature, such as water, or it may be anorganic liquid, such as ethanol, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate,hexane, petrol ether, etc. As used in the term “solvent detergenttreatment,” solvent denotes an organic solvent (e.g., tri-N-butylphosphate), which is part of the solvent detergent mixture used toinactivate lipid-enveloped viruses in solution.

As used herein, the term “detergent” is used in this applicationinterchangeably with the term “surfactant” or “surface acting agent.”Surfactants are typically organic compounds that are amphiphilic, i.e.,containing both hydrophobic groups (“tails”) and hydrophilic groups(“heads”), which render surfactants soluble in both organic solvents andwater. A surfactant can be classified by the presence of formallycharged groups in its head. A non-ionic surfactant has no charge groupsin its head, whereas an ionic surfactant carries a net charge in itshead. A zwitterionic surfactant contains a head with two oppositelycharged groups. Some examples of common surfactants include: Anionic(based on sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate anions): perfluorooctanoate(PFOA or PFO), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS), ammonium lauryl sulfate, and other alkyl sulfate salts, sodiumlaureth sulfate (also known as sodium lauryl ether sulfate, or SLES),alkyl benzene sulfonate; cationic (based on quaternary ammoniumcations): cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) a.k.a. hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, and other alkyltrimethylammonium salts,cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA),benzalkonium chloride (BAC), benzethonium chloride (BZT); Long chainfatty acids and their salts: including caprylate, caprylic acid,heptanoat, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, nanoic acid, decanoic acid,and the like; Zwitterionic (amphoteric): dodecyl betaine; cocamidopropylbetaine; coco ampho glycinate; nonionic: alkyl poly(ethylene oxide),alkylphenol poly(ethylene oxide), copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) andpolypropylene oxide) (commercially known as Poloxamers or Poloxamines),alkyl polyglucosides, including octyl glucoside, decyl maltoside, fattyalcohols (e.g., cetyl alcohol and oleyl alcohol), cocamide MEA, cocamideDEA, polysorbates (Tween 20, Tween 80, etc.), Triton detergents, anddodecyl dimethylamine oxide.

As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount or dose” or“sufficient/effective amount or dose,” refers to a dose that produceseffects for which it is administered. The exact dose will depend on thepurpose of the treatment, and will be ascertainable by one skilled inthe art using known techniques (see, e.g., Lieberman, PharmaceuticalDosage Forms (vols. 1-3, 1992); Lloyd, The Art, Science and Technologyof Pharmaceutical Compounding (1999); Pickar, Dosage Calculations(1999); and Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20thEdition, 2003, Gennaro, Ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties for all purposes).

As used in this application, the term “spraying” refers to a means ofdelivering a liquid substance into a system, e.g., during an alcoholprecipitation step, such as a Cohn fractionation I or II+IIIprecipitation step, in the form of fine droplets or mist of the liquidsubstance. Spraying may be achieved by any pressurized device, such as acontainer (e.g., a spray bottle), that has a spray head or a nozzle andis operated manually or automatically to generate a fine mist from aliquid. Typically, spraying is performed while the system receiving theliquid substance is continuously stirred or otherwise mixed to ensurerapid and equal distribution of the liquid within the system.

III. Methods for the Manufacture of Plasma-Derived Factor H

Having shown that the methods described herein are suitable for thepreparation and production of human Factor H that retains activity, aspecific object of the present invention is to provide a productionprocedure for a plasma-derived version of human Factor H for therapeuticuse suitable for large scale. Large scale with regard to the presentinvention means a production procedure based on at least 200 litersplasma, preferentially at least 500 liters, even more preferentially atleast 2000 liters human plasma.

Regarding production, the claimed processes starting from human plasmashall be based on the sub-fractionation of typical industrialintermediates obtained by, e.g., the fractional precipitation by ethanolin the cold (reviewed in Schultze H E, Heremans J F; Molecular Biologyof Human Proteins. Volume I: Nature and Metabolism of ExtracellularProteins 1966, Elsevier Publishing Company; p. 236-317). A preferredembodiment of such purification is the purification of functional FactorH from side fractions of industrial scale plasma fractionation in such away that established and licensed manufacturing processes of plasmaproducts, which are under control of pharmaceutical regulatoryauthorities, like immunoglobulins, are not affected. For example, thefilter cake obtained after filtration of a Fraction II+III pastesuspension (Teschner W et al., Vox Sang. 2007 January; 92(1):42-55),Precipitate III (Schultze H E, Heremans J F; Molecular Biology of HumanProteins. Volume I: Nature and Metabolism of Extracellular Proteins1966, Elsevier Publishing Company; p. 236-317 at p. 253) and precipitateB (method of Kistler and Nitschmann; supra at p. 253) are examples ofsuch industrial sources for Factor H. Starting from those sidefractions, purification procedures known in the art can be used topurify Factor H. They may be based on precipitation with polyethyleneglycol (Nagasawa S, Stroud R M; Mol Immunol 1980; 17:1365-72), affinitychromatography via immobilized heparin (citation as before), ionexchange chromatography (Crossley L G, Porter R R; Biochem J 1980;191:173-82) and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (Ripoche J, AlSalihi A, Rousseaux J, Fontaine M; Biochem J 1984; 221, 89-96).

The starting material for the invention is prepared using Cohnfractions. This fractionation is a well known fractionation used for thepreparation of immunoglobulin preparations can be prepared from donorserum or monoclonal or recombinant immunoglobulins. In a typicalexample, blood is collected from healthy donors. Usually, the blood iscollected from the same species of animal as the subject to which theimmunoglobulin preparation will be administered (typically referred toas “homologous” immunoglobulins). The immunoglobulins are isolated fromthe blood by suitable procedures, such as, for example, Cohnfractionation, ultracentrifugation, electrophoretic preparation, ionexchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, immunoaffinitychromatography, polyethylene glycol fractionation, or the like. (See,e.g., Cohn et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 68:459-75 (1946); Oncley et al., J.Am. Chem. Soc. 71:541-50 (1949); Barundern et al., Vox Sang. 7:157-74(1962); Koblet et al., Vox Sang. 13:93-102 (1967); U.S. Pat. Nos.5,122,373 and 5,177,194; the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.) The presentinvention uses the discarded fractions from the preparation ofimmunoglobulins. In particular, the present invention uses the fractionthat is precipitated on the filtration cake once the Fraction II+IIIextract is filtered through an Aerosil® filter.

Generally, Factor H preparations according to the present invention canbe prepared from any suitable starting materials, for example, recoveredplasma or source plasma. In a typical example, blood or plasma iscollected from healthy donors. Usually, the blood is collected from thesame species of animal as the subject to which the Factor H preparationwill be administered (typically referred to as “homologous” Factor H).The Factor H is isolated from the blood or plasma by suitableprocedures, such as, for example, precipitation (alcohol fractionationor polyethylene glycol fractionation), chromatographic methods (ionexchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, immunoaffinitychromatography, etc.) ultracentrifugation, and electrophoreticpreparation, and the like. (See, e.g., Cohn et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc.68:459-75 (1946); Deutsch et al., J. Biol. Chem. 164:109-118; Oncley etal., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 71:541-50 (1949); Cohn et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc.72:465-474 (1950); Cohn et al., Blood Cells and Plasma Proteins: TheirState in Nature (J. L. Tullis, ed), pp. 1-58, Academic Press, NewYorkand London (1953); Nitschmann et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 37:866-873;Kistler and Nitschmann, Vox Sang. 7:414-424 (1962); Barundern et al.,Vox Sang. 7:157-74 (1962); Koblet et al., Vox Sang. 13:93-102 (1967);U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,122,373 and 5,177,194; the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes).

In certain embodiments, Factor H is recovered from material otherwisediscarded during the manufacture of other commercially important bloodproducts by plasma fractionation. For example, in an exemplaryembodiment, Factor H is extracted from a Fraction I precipitate and/orextracted from a filter cake formed after centrifugation or filtrationof a re-suspended Fraction II+III paste. Advantageously, according tothe methods provided herein, industrial-scale preparation of Factor Hcan be achieved without the need for additional input plasma or theredesign and regulatory re-approval of existing manufacturing processesfor other commercially important plasma-derived blood products, such asIgG gamma globulins for intravenous (IVIG) or subcutaneousadministration.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing anenriched Factor H composition from plasma by extracting Factor H from aFraction II+III filter cake. In a related embodiment, the methodinvolves the adsorption of Factor H from a suspended Fraction II+IIIprecipitate and separation from the suspension.

In a preferred embodiment, a method is provided for preparing anenriched Factor H composition from plasma, the method comprising thesteps of: (a) precipitating proteins from a cryo-poor plasma fraction,in a first precipitation step, with between about 6% and about 10%alcohol at a pH of between about 7.0 and about 7.5 to obtain a firstprecipitate and a first supernatant; (b) precipitating Factor H from thefirst supernatant, in a second precipitation step, with between about20% and about 30% alcohol at a pH of between about 6.7 and about 7.3 toform a second precipitate; (c) re-suspending the second precipitate toform a suspension; (d) mixing finely divided silicon dioxide (SiO₂) withthe suspension from step (c); (e) separating the suspension to form afilter cake and a supernatant; and (f) extracting Factor H from thefilter cake with a Factor H extraction buffer, thereby preparing anenriched Factor H composition. In a preferred embodiment, the filtercake is separated from the supernatant by filtering the suspensionthrough a filter press containing a suitable filter. In one embodiment,Factor H can be extracted by re-circulating an extraction buffer througha filter press containing a filter cake.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method forpreparing an enriched Factor H composition from plasma by extractingFactor H from a Fraction I precipitate.

In a preferred embodiment, a method is provided for preparing anenriched Factor H composition from plasma, the method comprising thesteps of: (a) precipitating proteins from a cryo-poor plasma fraction,in a first precipitation step, with between about 6% and about 10%alcohol at a pH of between about 7.0 and about 7.5 to obtain a firstprecipitate and a first supernatant; and (b) extracting Factor H fromthe precipitate with a Factor H extraction buffer, thereby preparing anenriched Factor H composition.

In one aspect, a method is provided for preparing an enriched Factor Hcomposition from plasma, by extracting Factor H from a pool of two ormore manufacturing byproduct fractions created by a process designed toprovide a second blood protein, for example, IgG gamma globulins. In oneembodiment, the method comprises pooling a Fraction I precipitate and aFraction II+III filter cake formed during the manufacture of IgG gammaglobulins (e.g., IVIG) and extracting Factor H from the pooledfractions.

In a related aspect, Factor H extracted from two or more manufacturingbyproduct fractions created by a process designed to provide a secondblood protein, for example, IgG gamma globulins, is pooled and furtherpurified. In one embodiment, Factor H extracted from a Fraction Iprecipitate and a Fraction II+III filter cake is pooled and subsequentlypurified further.

In certain embodiments, an enriched Factor H composition may be furtherpurified subsequent to extraction from a Fraction I precipitate and/orFraction II+III filter cake. Various methods are available for furtherpurifying Factor H, including without limitation, additionalprecipitation steps or fractionations, affinity chromatography, ionexchange chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, sizeexclusion chromatography, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment,nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, diafiltration, and the like.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises precipitating impuritiesfrom an enriched Factor H composition. In certain embodiments, this stepcomprises precipitating at least one impurity, for example a lipid orprotein, from the composition and then separating the precipitate fromthe supernatant containing Factor H. Optionally, Factor H can then beprecipitated from the supernatant in a separate precipitation.

Advantageously, precipitation and subsequent re-suspension of Factor Hfrom an enriched composition allows for the reduction of volume prior toadditional purification steps, such as chromatography or nanofiltration.In one embodiment, the enriched Factor H composition may be furtherpurified subsequent to extraction from a Fraction I precipitate orFraction II+III filter cake by precipitating Factor H out of theenriched composition. In certain embodiments, an enriched Factor Hcomposition may be subjected to a first precipitation step to remove atleast one impurity from the composition, as described above, and then toa second precipitation step to precipitate and recover Factor H.

In one embodiment, a Factor H composition extracted from a Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake is further enriched byprecipitating impurities from the enriched Factor H composition, in asecond or third precipitation step, thereby forming a supernatantcontaining Factor H. Subsequently, Factor H may further be enriched byprecipitating Factor H, in a third or fourth precipitation step. In oneembodiment, Factor H is precipitated with between about 20% and about25% alcohol at a pH of between about 6.0 and about 8.0.

In certain embodiments, the method for preparing an enriched Factor Hcomposition further comprises at least one, preferably two,chromatographic steps to further enrich the purity of the composition.Generally, any suitable chromatographic method may be employed tofurther enrich the Factor H composition extracted from a Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake. In certain embodiments,prior to chromatographic enrichment, the extracted Factor H compositionwill be subjected one or more additional precipitation steps, asdescribed above, to reduce the impurities present in the composition,reduce the load volume for the chromatographic step, and/or exchange thebuffer of the composition.

In certain embodiments, a Factor H composition may be further enrichedby a chromatographic step comprising anion exchange chromatography(AEC), cation exchange chromatography (CEC), heparin affinitychromatography, hydrophobic exchange chromatography (HIC),hydroxyapatite chromatography (HAP), immunoaffinity chromatography, sizeexclusion chromatography (i.e., gel filtration), or other suitablechromatographic step. Chromatographic steps may be performed in eitherbatch or column mode.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the use of anionexchange chromatography and heparin affinity chromatography.

In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein for the preparationof an enriched Factor H composition will further include at least one,preferably at least two, most preferably at least three, viralinactivation or removal steps. Non-limiting examples of viralinactivation or removal steps that may be employed with the methodsprovided herein include, solvent detergent treatment (Horowitz et al.,Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 1994 (5 Suppl 3):S21-S28 and Kreil et al.,Transfusion 2003 (43):1023-1028, both of which are herein expresslyincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes),nanofiltration (Hamamoto et al., Vox Sang 1989 (56)230-236 and Yuasa etal., J Gen Virol. 1991 (72 (pt 8)):2021-2024, both of which are hereinexpressly incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes),low pH incubation at high temperatures (Kempf et al., Transfusion 1991(31)423-427 and Louie et al., Biologicals 1994 (22):13-19), and heattreatment of lyophilized Factor H compositions (Piszkiewicz et al.,Thromb Res. 1987 Jul. 15; 47(2):235-41; Piszkiewicz et al., Curr StudHematol Blood Transfus. 1989; (56):44-54; Epstein and Fricke, ArchPathol Lab Med. 1990 March; 114(3):335-40)

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method ofpreparing a virally safe enriched Factor H composition comprising (i)extracting Factor H from a Fraction II+III filter cake, (ii) performinga first precipitation step to precipitate at least one impurity from theFactor H composition, (iii) performing a second precipitation step toprecipitate Factor H from the composition, and (iv) performing at leastone viral inactivation or removal step, thereby preparing a virally safeenriched Factor H composition.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method ofpreparing a virally safe enriched Factor H composition comprising (i)extracting Factor H from a Fraction I precipitate, (ii) performing afirst precipitation step to precipitate at least one impurity from theFactor H composition, (iii) performing a second precipitation step toprecipitate Factor H from the composition, and (iv) performing at leastone viral inactivation or removal step, thereby preparing a virally safeenriched Factor H composition.

In one aspect, Factor H isolated from material otherwise discardedduring the manufacture of other commercially important blood products byplasma fractionation, e.g., a Fraction I precipitate or Fraction II+IIIfilter cake, may be further enriched by chromatography with a series ofstep elutions that are amenable to a large scale manufacturing process.In one embodiment, DEAE Sepharose™ and Heparin Sepharose™ chromatographyresins are used with a suitable buffer system, for example, onecontaining 25 mM Tris (pH 8.0) and 5 mM EDTA.

The chromatographic enrichment of a Factor H composition can be modifiedto use buffer systems other than Tris/EDTA at pH 8.0. These processescan be adapted for buffers and solutions commonly used in manufacturingof biopharmaceuticals. An example is a purification scheme usingphosphate buffer at pH 7.0. The key parameter to successful purificationis manipulation of conductivity or ionic strength to achieve separationof the desired compound. If pH of the buffer system is maintained at pH8.0, the conductivity of the elution buffers must be matched to thepurification process described here. If the pH of the buffer system ischanged, some adjustment of the ionic strength will be needed which canbe done with standard techniques used in optimization of chromatographicprocesses.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparingFactor H from pooled human plasma comprising (a) performing Cohnfractionation to obtain Fraction II+III precipitates and preparing asuspension of the combined precipitates, (b) filtering the re-suspendedFraction II+III precipitates to obtain the Aerosil® filter cake discardleft behind after filtration of the Fraction II+III suspension; (c)extracting the filter cake according to a method comprising the stepsof: (i) dissolving the filter cake in a suitable buffer of appropriateionic strength for a time sufficient to dissolve the protein caked onsaid filter cake; (ii) diluting said dissolved protein with additionalbuffer, (iii) removing debris from the diluted protein, (iv) purifyingFactor H protein from said diluted protein preparation by subjecting thediluted protein to ultrafiltration on a 0.45 μm filter to produce afiltrate containing Factor H; (v) subjecting the filtrate containingFactor H to anion exchange chromatography using a NaCl gradient (50-500mM) in the running buffer to produce a pooled crude Factor H fraction;and (vi) purifying Factor H from said crude Factor H preparation byHeparin Sepharose™ chromatography using a gradient of NaCl (50-500 mM).

In one embodiment of the method of preparing Factor H, the anionexchange chromatography uses DEAE Sepharose™ as the anion exchangeresin.

In another embodiment of the method of preparing Factor H, the purifiedFactor H is an active Factor H preparation that is composed of a mixtureof Tyr-402 and His-402 isoforms in the range 50%±20% His-402: 50%±20%Tyr-402.

In another embodiment of the method of preparing Factor H, the methodfurther comprises placing Factor I precipitate with the filter cake instep (c)(i).

In another embodiment of the method of preparing Factor H, the buffer instep (c)(v) and/or (c)(vi) is 25 mM TRIS/5 mM EDTA/50 mM NaCl having apH of 8.0.

In another embodiment of the method of preparing Factor H, the methodfurther comprises lyophilizing the Factor H produced in step (c)(vi).

In another embodiment of the method of preparing Factor H, the anionexchange chromatography uses a first buffer having an ionic strengthequal to a NaCl concentration of about 50 mM to about 65 mM for bindingFactor H to the resin and a second buffer having an ionic strength equalto a sodium chloride concentration of at least about 100 mM for elutingthe Factor H from the resin. In a preferred embodiment, the elutionbuffer has an ionic strength equal to a sodium chloride concentration ofbetween about 100 mM and about 120 mM. Optionally, a subsequent heparinaffinity chromatography step may then be performed to further enrich theFactor H composition. The heparin affinity step consists of adjustingthe ionic strength of the Factor H composition to an ionic strengthequal to a NaCl concentration of about 50 mM or less for binding FactorH to the resin, optionally washing the column with a buffer having anionic strength equal to a sodium chloride concentration of about 50 mMNaCl to about 75 mM NaCl, preferably about 50 mM NaCl or less, andeluting Factor H from the resin with a buffer having an ionic strengthequal to a sodium chloride concentration of between about 100 mM andabout 250 mM NaCl.

An alternative purification process consists of taking the Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake extract at pH 8 and adjustingthe salt concentration to an ionic strength equal that of an NaClconcentration of between about 120 and 150 mM and then contacting thecomposition with an anion-exchange resin (e.g., DEAE Sepharose™) to bindunwanted proteins in the extract. The Factor H does not bind to theresin and can be recovered in a flow through fraction, which iscollected for further processing. The ionic strength of the Factor Hpool is then adjusted to equal that of a sodium chloride concentrationof no more than about 75 mM, preferably no more than about 50 mM, tobind the Factor H to a heparin affinity resin. The resin is eluted torecover Factor H with a buffer having an ionic strength equal to asodium chloride concentration of between about 90 mM and about 250 mM,preferably between about 100 mM and about 200 mM. Optionally, the ionicstrength of the Factor H eluate may be adjusted to equal a sodiumchloride concentration of no more than about 75 mM, preferably no morethan about 65 mM, most preferably no more than about 50 mM to bind theFactor H to a second anion exchange resin, which can be the same or adifferent resin as the first anion exchange resin, to remove impuritiesfrom the pool that have low affinity for the resin. The Factor H is theneluted from the resin with a buffer having an ionic strength equal to atleast about 100 mM sodium chloride, more preferably at least about 120mM.

In one embodiment, a Factor H composition is further enriched by (i)binding impurities to a an anion exchange resin under conditions suchthat Factor H does bind to the resin and is collected in the flowthrough fraction; (ii) binding Factor H from the flow through fractionto a heparin affinity resin; (iii) eluting Factor H from the heparinaffinity resin to form an eluate; (iv) binding Factor H from the eluateto an anion exchange resin; and (v) eluting Factor H from the anionexchange resin, thereby further purifying Factor H.

Purification from Fraction I or the Aerosil®filter cake could beperformed by several alternative methods, including immunoaffinitypurification, variant resins for anion exchange chromatography (e.g.DEAE Sephacel™, etc) and inclusion of size exclusion chromatography(e.g., Sephacryl™ S-300) as an optional polishing step, if necessary.Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (e.g., Phenyl Sepharose™) mayalso be employed as part of the above purification scheme. These FactorH purification schemes have all been described in the prior art.Additionally, the Aerosil® filter cake may be ‘washed in place’ with aFactor H eluting buffer of sufficient ionic strength to dissolve FactorH from the filter cake while maintaining its functional activity (suchas the 25 mM Tris; 200 mM NaCl; 5 mM EDTA; pH 8 buffer used above). Thismaterial would then be processed via downstream chromatography (such asthat described above) to purify the Factor H to homogeneity.

In one aspect, a method is provided for preparing an enriched Factor Hcomposition from plasma comprising the steps of: (a) extracting Factor Hfrom a Fraction I precipitate and/or a Fraction II+III filter cake, toform a Factor H extract; and (b) precipitating impurities from theFactor H extract to form a supernatant containing Factor H, therebypreparing an enriched Factor H composition.

A. Alcohol Precipitation and Chromatographic Fractionation Methods

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for thepreparation of enriched compositions of Factor H from material otherwisediscarded during the manufacturing process of a second blood factor. Inan exemplary embodiment, Factor H can be recovered from fractionsgenerated by the manufacturing process for plasma-derived IgGcompositions, such as IgG compositions formulated for intravenous (i.e.,IVIG), subcutaneous, and/or intramuscular administration.

In a preferred embodiment, a method for the preparation of an enrichedcomposition of Factor H is provided, the method comprising (i)extracting Factor H from a Fraction I precipitate and/or Fraction II+IIIfilter cake, (ii) optionally performing a first precipitation step toprecipitate at least one impurity from the Factor H composition, (iii)optionally performing a second precipitation step to precipitate FactorH from the composition, (iv) optionally performing at least one ionexchange chromatography step, (v) optionally performing at least oneheparin affinity chromatography step; and (vi) performing at least oneviral inactivation or removal step.

In one embodiment, a method for the preparation of an enrichedcomposition of Factor H from material otherwise discarded during an IgGmanufacturing process comprises one or more of the following steps.

1. Preparation of Cryo-Poor Plasma

In certain embodiments, the starting material used for the preparationof Factor H and IgG compositions generally consists of either recoveredplasma (i.e., plasma that has been separated from whole blood ex vivo)or source plasma (i.e., plasma collected via plasmapheresis). Thepurification process typically starts with thawing previously frozenpooled plasma, which has already been assayed for safety and qualityconsiderations, although fresh plasma may also be used. In certainembodiments thawing is typically carried out at a temperature not higherthan at or about 6° C. After complete thawing of the frozen plasma atlow temperature, centrifugation is performed in the cold (e.g., ≦6° C.)to separate solid cryo-precipitates from the liquid supernatant.Alternatively, the separation step can be performed by filtration ratherthan centrifugation. The liquid supernatant (also referred to as“cryo-poor plasma,” after cold-insoluble proteins removed bycentrifugation from fresh thawed plasma) is then processed in the nextstep. Various additional steps can be taken at this juncture for theisolation of other blood coagulation factors and inhibitors, e.g.,Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypass Activity (FEIBA), Factor IX-complex,Factor VII, or Antithrombin III-complex.

2. First Precipitation Step—Fraction I Precipitation

The cryo-poor plasma solution is then typically cooled to about 0±1° C.and the pH is adjusted to between at or about 7.0 and at or about 7.5.In another embodiment, the pH is adjusted to between at or about 7.1 andat or about 7.3. In one embodiment, the pH of the cryo-poor plasma isadjusted to a pH of at or about 7.2. Pre-cooled ethanol is then addedwhile the plasma is stirred to a target concentration of between at orabout 6% and at or about 10%. In a preferred embodiment, ethanol isadded to a target concentration of between at or about 7% and at orabout 9%. In a more preferred embodiment, ethanol is added to a targetconcentration of at or about 8% (v/v). At the same time the temperatureis further lowered to between at or about −4° C. and at or about 0° C.In a preferred embodiment, the temperature is lowered to at or about −2°C., to precipitate components such as fibrinogen. Typically, theprecipitation event will include a hold time of at least about 1 hour,although shorter or longer hold times may also be employed.Subsequently, the supernatant (Supernatant I) is then separated from theprecipitate (Fraction I precipitate) by centrifugation, filtration, oranother suitable method.

Typically, the Fraction I precipitation step is performed to removefibrinogen and other impurities in the manufacturing process ofplasma-derived blood factors such as IgG and albumin. Advantageously, itwas found that a significant fraction of Factor H is present in thisprecipitate. For example, Example 1 demonstrates that more than 180grams of Factor H, nearly 10% of the total content found in thecryo-poor plasma starting material (Cohn pool), is present in theFraction I precipitate of an industrial-scale plasma fractionation.Accordingly, in one embodiment, Factor H is extracted from the FractionI precipitate. Suitable buffers and methods for the extraction of FactorH from the Factor I precipitate are provided herein.

As compared to conventional methods employed as a first fractionationstep for cryo-poor plasma (Cohn et al., supra; Oncley et al., supra),the present invention provides, in several embodiments, methods thatresult in improved yields of plasma factors (e.g., Factor H, IgG, etc.).In one embodiment, the precipitating alcohol is added in a fashion thatfinely disperses or that rapidly disperses the alcohol at the point ofaddition. In one embodiment, the alcohol is added by spraying. In asecond embodiment, the alcohol is added from below or directly adjacentto a stirring apparatus, for example, a propeller. Addition of alcoholby any of these mechanisms avoids local over-concentration of alcoholwhich occurs, for example, at the point of fluent addition and resultsin the irreversible denaturation of proteins and/or precipitation ofproteins that would otherwise be recovered in the supernatant.

In another embodiment, one or more pH modifying agent is added in afashion that finely disperses or that rapidly disperses the pH modifyingagent at the point of addition. In one embodiment, the pH modifyingagent is added by spraying. In a second embodiment, the pH modifyingagent is added from below or directly adjacent to a stirring apparatus,for example, a propeller. In a third embodiment, the pH modifying agentis added by sprinkling a solid pH modifying agent over a delocalizedarea.

In yet another embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted afteraddition of the alcohol. In a related embodiment, the pH of the solutionis adjusted during the addition of the alcohol. In one embodiment, thepH of the solution is maintained at the desired pH during theprecipitation hold or incubation time by continuously adjusting the pHof the solution. In a preferred embodiment, the alcohol is ethanol.

In certain embodiments, the pH of the solution is adjusted to between ator about 7.0 and about at or 7.5 after the addition of the precipitatingalcohol. In other embodiments, the pH of the solution is adjusted tobetween at or about 7.1 and at or about 7.3 after addition of theprecipitating alcohol. In yet other embodiments, the pH of the solutionis adjusted to at or about 7.0 or at or about 7.1, 7.2, 7,3, 7.4, or 7.5after addition of the precipitating alcohol. In a particular embodiment,the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or about 7.2 after addition ofthe precipitating alcohol. As such, in certain embodiments, a reducedamount of blood factor is irreversibly lost during the firstprecipitation step due to protein denaturation, as compared to ananalogous precipitation step in which the pH of the solution is adjustedprior to but not after addition of the precipitating alcohol.

In other certain embodiments, the precipitating alcohol and/or thesolution used to adjust the pH is added by spraying, rather than byfluent addition. As such, in certain embodiments, a reduced amount ofblood factor is irreversibly lost during the first precipitation stepdue to protein denaturation, as compared to an analogous precipitationstep in which the alcohol and/or solution used to adjust the pH isintroduced by fluent addition.

In yet other embodiments, the pH of the solution is adjusted afteraddition of the precipitating alcohol and by adding the precipitatingalcohol and/or a solution used to adjust the pH by spraying, rather thanby fluent addition. In a particular embodiment, the pH of the solutionis adjusted to at or about 7.2 after addition of the precipitatingalcohol and by adding the precipitating alcohol and/or the solution usedto adjust the pH by spraying, rather than by fluent addition.

3. Second Precipitation Step—Fraction II+III Precipitation

In order to enrich the content and purity of the relevant blood factorspresent in the Fraction I supernatant (e.g., Factor H, IgG), theFraction Supernatant I is subjected to a second precipitation step,which is a Cohn-Oncley Fraction II+III type fractionation. Generally,the pH of the solution is adjusted to a pH of between at or about 6.6and at or about 7.2. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the solutionis adjusted to between at or about 6.6 and at or about 6.8. In a morepreferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to a pH of ator about 6.7. Alcohol, preferably ethanol, is then added to the solutionwhile being stirred to a final concentration of between at or about 20%and at or about 30% (v/v) to precipitate Factor H and IgG present in thefraction. In a preferred embodiment, alcohol is added to a finalconcentration of at or about 25% (v/v) to precipitate the IgG in thefraction.

Prior to or concomitant with alcohol addition, the solution is furthercooled to between at or about −5° C. and at or about −9° C. In apreferred embodiment, the solution is cooled to a temperature at orabout −7° C. After completion of the alcohol addition, the pH of thesolution is immediately adjusted to between at or about 6.6 and at orabout 7.2. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjustedto between at or about 6.6 and at or about 6.8. In a particularembodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or about 6.9.Typically, the precipitation event will include a hold time of at leastat or about 10 hours, although shorter or longer hold times may also beemployed. Subsequently, the precipitate (Fraction II+III), whichcontains the majority of the Factor H and IgG content of the cryo-poorplasma, is separated from the supernatant by centrifugation, filtration,or another suitable method and collected. As compared to conventionalmethods employed as a second fractionation step for cryo-poor plasma(Cohn et al., supra; Oncley et al., supra), the present inventionprovides, in several embodiments, methods that result in improved bloodfactor yields in the Fraction II+III precipitate. In a relatedembodiment, the present invention provides methods that result in areduced loss of Factor H and IgG in the Fraction II+III supernatant.

As compared to conventional methods employed as a second fractionationstep for cryo-poor plasma (Cohn et al., supra; Oncley et al., supra),the present invention provides, in several embodiments, methods thatresult in improved blood factor yields in the Fraction II+IIIprecipitate. In one embodiment, the precipitating alcohol is added in afashion that finely disperses the alcohol or that rapidly disperses thealcohol at the point of addition. In one embodiment, the alcohol isadded by spraying. In a second embodiment, the alcohol is added frombelow or directly adjacent to a stirring apparatus, for example, apropeller.

In another embodiment, one or more pH modifying agent is added in afashion that finely disperses or that rapidly disperses the pH modifyingagent at the point of addition. In one embodiment, the pH modifyingagent is added by spraying. In a second embodiment, the pH modifyingagent is added from below or directly adjacent to a stirring apparatus,for example, a propeller. In a third embodiment, the pH modifying agentis added by sprinkling a solid pH modifying agent over a delocalizedarea.

In yet another embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted afteraddition of the alcohol. In a related embodiment, the pH of the solutionis adjusted during addition of the alcohol. In one embodiment, the pH ofthe solution is maintained at the desired pH during the precipitationhold or incubation time by continuously adjusting the pH of thesolution. In a preferred embodiment, the alcohol is ethanol.

In one embodiment, the temperature of the Fraction II+III precipitationstep is between at or about −7° C. and at or about −9° C. In a relatedembodiment, the concentration of alcohol (e.g., ethanol) used in theFraction II+III precipitation step is at or about 25% (v/v) and thetemperature is between at or about −7° C. and at or about −9° C. Incomparison, both Cohn et al. and Oncley et al. perform precipitation at−5° C. and Oncley et al. use 20% alcohol, in order to reduce the levelof contaminants in the precipitate. Advantageously, the methods providedherein allow for maximal Factor H and IgG yield without high levels ofcontamination in the final product.

In another embodiment, the precipitation step is performed at atemperature between at or about −7° C. and at or about −9° C. In oneembodiment, the precipitation step is performed at a temperature of ator about −7° C. In another embodiment, the precipitation step isperformed at a temperature of at or about −8° C. In another embodiment,the precipitation step is performed at a temperature of at or about −9°C.

In certain embodiments, the alcohol concentration of the precipitationstep is between at or about 20% and at or about 30%, preferably betweenat or about 23% and at or about 27%. In a preferred embodiment, thealcohol concentration is between at or about 24% and at or about 26%. Inanother preferred embodiment, the alcohol concentration is at or about25%. In other embodiments, the alcohol concentration may be at or about20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29% or 30%. In a particularembodiment, the second precipitation step is performed at a temperatureof at or about −7° C. with an alcohol concentration of at or about 25%.In one embodiment, the alcohol is ethanol.

It has been discovered that when the pH of the solution is adjusted to apH of about 6.9 prior to addition of the precipitating alcohol, the pHof the solution shifts from 6.9 to between about 7.4 and about 7.7, duein part to protein precipitation. As the pH of the solution shifts awayfrom 6.9, precipitation of IgG becomes less favorable and theprecipitation of certain contaminants becomes more favorable.Advantageously, the inventors have found that by adjusting the pH of thesolution after addition of the precipitating alcohol, that higherpercentages of IgG is recovered in the Fraction II+III precipitate. Inone embodiment, the pH of the solution is maintained at the desired pHduring the precipitation hold or incubation time by continuouslyadjusting the pH of the solution. In a preferred embodiment, the alcoholis ethanol.

Accordingly, in one aspect, reduced amounts of Factor H and/or IgG arelost in the supernatant fraction of the Fraction II+III precipitationstep. In other words, increased percentages of the starting Factor Hand/or IgG are present in the Fraction II+III precipitate. In certainembodiments, the pH of the solution is adjusted to between at or about6.6 and at or about 7.2 immediately after or during the addition of theprecipitating alcohol. In another embodiment, the pH of the solution ismaintained between at or about 6.6 and at or about 7.2 continuouslyduring the precipitation incubation period. In other embodiments, the pHof the solution is adjusted to between at or about 6.8 and at or about7.0 immediately after or during the addition of the precipitatingalcohol, or to a pH of at or about 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, or 7.1immediately after or during the addition of the precipitating alcohol.In a particular embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at orabout 6.9 immediately after or during the addition of the precipitatingalcohol. In certain embodiments, the pH of the solution is maintained atbetween at or about 6.8 and at or about 7.0 continuously during theprecipitation incubation period, or at a pH of at or about 6.9continuously during the precipitation incubation period. As such, incertain embodiments, a reduced amount of Factor H and/or IgG is lost inthe supernatant fraction of the second precipitation step as compared toan analogous precipitation step in which the pH of the solution isadjusted prior to but not after addition of the precipitating alcohol orto an analogous precipitation step in which the pH of the solution isnot maintained during the entirety of the precipitation incubationperiod.

In another embodiment, both the precipitating alcohol and the solutionused to adjust the pH are added by spraying, rather than by fluentaddition. As such, in certain embodiments, a reduced amount of Factor Hand/or IgG is lost in the supernatant fraction of the secondprecipitation step as compared to an analogous precipitation step inwhich the alcohol and/or solution used to adjust the pH is introduced byfluent addition.

In another embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to between ator about 6.7 and at or about 7.1 immediately after or during theaddition of the precipitating alcohol by spray addition of either orboth the alcohol and pH modifying agent. In another embodiment, the pHof the solution is adjusted to at or about 6.9 immediately after orduring the addition of the precipitating alcohol by spray addition ofeither or both the alcohol and pH modifying agent. In one embodiment,the pH of the solution is maintained at or about between 6.7 and 7.1 bycontinuously adjusting the pH during the precipitation incubation periodby adding the precipitating alcohol and/or the solution used to adjustthe pH by spraying, rather than by fluent addition. In anotherembodiment, the pH of the solution is maintained at or about 6.9 bycontinuously adjusting the pH during the precipitation incubation periodby adding the precipitating alcohol and/or the solution used to adjustthe pH by spraying, rather than by fluent addition.

In another particular embodiment, the precipitation step is performed ator about a temperature between −7° C. and −9° C., or at or about −7° C.with an alcohol concentration of at or about between 23% and 27%, or ator about 25%. In one embodiment, Factor H and IgG are precipitated at atemperature of at or about −7° C. with at or about 25% ethanol added byspraying, wherein the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or about 6.9after addition of the precipitating alcohol. In yet another embodiment,the pH of the solution is maintained at or about 6.9 for the entirety ofthe precipitation incubation or hold time.

4. Extraction of the Fraction II+III Precipitate

In order to solubilize the Factor H and IgG content of the FractionII+III precipitate, a cold extraction buffer is used to re-suspend theFractionation II+III precipitate at a typical ratio of at or about 1part precipitate to 15 parts of extraction buffer. In another aspect, acold extraction buffer is used to re-suspend the Fractionation II+IIIprecipitate at a typical ratio of at or about 1 part precipitate to 20parts of extraction buffer. Other suitable re-suspension ratios may beused, for example at a range of at or about between 1:4 and 1:40, or ator about between 1:8 and 1:30, or at or about between 1:10 and 1:20, orat or about between 1:12 and 1:18, or at or about between 1:13 and 1:17,or at or about between 1:14 and 1:16. In certain embodiments, there-suspension ratio may be at or about 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9,1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21,1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, 1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:33,1:34, 1:35, 1:36, 1:37, 1:38, 1:39, 1:40, or higher. Ina preferredembodiment, the Fraction II+III paste is re-suspended at or about aratio of 1 part precipitate to 15 parts extraction buffer. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the Fraction II+III paste is re-suspended at orabout a ratio of 1 part precipitate to 20 parts extraction buffer.

Suitable solutions for the extraction of the II+III precipitate willgenerally have a pH at or about between 4.0 and 5.5. In certainembodiments, the solution will have a pH at or about between 4.3 and4.7, in other embodiments, the extraction solution will have a pH of ator about 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1,5.2, 5.3, 5.4, or 5.5. Ina preferred embodiment, the pH of theextraction buffer will be at or about 4.3. In another preferredembodiment, the pH of the extraction buffer will be at or about 4.5. Inanother preferred embodiment, the pH of the extraction buffer will be ator about 4.7. Generally, these pH requirements can be met using abuffering agent selected from, for example, acetate, citrate, monobasicphosphate, dibasic phosphate, mixtures thereof, and the like. Suitablebuffer concentrations typically range from about 2.5 to about 100 mM, orfrom about 5 to about 50 mM, or about 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35,40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 mM bufferingagent.

The extraction buffer will preferably have a conductivity of at or aboutbetween 0.5 mS·cm⁻¹ and 2.0 mS·cm⁻¹. For example, in certainembodiments, the conductivity of the extraction buffer will be at orabout 0.5 mS·cm⁻¹, or at or about 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2,1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, or at or about 2.0 mS·cm⁻¹. One ofordinary skill in the art will know how to generate extraction buffershaving an appropriate conductivity.

In one particular embodiment, an exemplary extraction buffer may containat or about 5 mM monobasic sodium phosphate and at or about 5 mM acetateat a pH of at or about 4.5±0.2 and conductivity of at or about 0.7 to0.9 mS/cm.

Generally, the extraction is performed at or about between 0° C. and 20°C., preferably at or about between 2° C. and 8° C. In certainembodiments, the extraction may be performed at or about 0° C., 1° C.,2° C., 3° C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., 10° C., 11° C.,12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 17° C., 18° C., 19° C., or 20°C. In a particular embodiment, the extraction is performed at or aboutbetween 2° C. and 10° C. Typically, the extraction process is performedunder continuous stirring until all soluble components of the II+IIIpaste are brought into solution. In certain embodiments, the extractionwill proceed for at or about between 60 and 300 minutes, or for at orbetween 120 and 240 min, or for at or about between 150 and 210 minutes,while the suspension is continuously stirred. In certain embodiments,the extraction process will proceed for at or about 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240,250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or at or about 300 minutes. In a preferredembodiment, the extraction process will proceed for at least 60 minuteswith continuous stirring.

In one embodiment, the extraction buffer will contain at or about 5 mMmonobasic sodium phosphate, 5 mM acetate, and 0.051% to 0.06% glacialacetic acid (v/v). In a preferred embodiment, the Fraction II+IIIprecipitate is extracted with a paste to buffer ratio of at or about1:15 at a pH of at or about 4.5±0.2.

In one embodiment, the pH of the solution is maintained for the durationof the extraction process. In one embodiment, the pH of the solution ismaintained at or about between 4.1 and 4.9 for the duration of theextraction process. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the solution ismaintained at or about between 4.2 and 4.8 for the duration of theextraction process. In a more preferred embodiment, the pH of thesolution is maintained at or about between 4.3 and 4.7 for the durationof the extraction process. In another preferred embodiment, the pH ofthe solution is maintained at or about between 4.4 and 4.6 for theduration of the extraction process. In yet another preferred embodiment,the pH of the solution is maintained at or about 4.5 for the duration ofthe extraction process.

5. Pretreatment and Extraction of Factor H from the Fraction II+IIISuspension

Advantageously, it has been found that pretreatment of solubilizedFraction II+III precipitate with finely divided silicon dioxide (SiO₂)significantly reduces impurities, such as lipids, fibrinogen, amidolyticactivity, prekallikren activity, and lipoproteins, from the IgGmanufacturing process. Unexpectedly, the inventors have found that themajority of Factor H found in the Cohn pool staring material is drawninto the Fraction II+III filter cake after treatment with silicondioxide and filter aid. For example, Example 1 demonstrates that morethan 1.74 kilograms of Factor H, more than 80% of the total Factor Hcontent of the cryo-poor plasma starting material (Cohn pool), ispresent in the Fraction II+III precipitate of an industrial-scale plasmafractionation (about 3000 L), yet is absent completely in the filtrateafter the Fraction II+III suspension is treated with silicon dioxide andfilter aid addition. Furthermore, Example 2 demonstrates that Factor His not irreversibly lost and can be extracted from the Fraction II+IIIfilter cake. Even more importantly, as demonstrated in Example 4, FactorH extracted from the filter cake maintains equivalent Factor I cofactorand C3/C5 convertase inhibition activities as compared to a commercialpreparation of Factor H (CompTech).

Accordingly, in one embodiment, Factor H is extracted from a filter cakeafter filtration or centrifugation of a Fraction II+III paste suspensionin the presence of finely divided silicon dioxide (e.g., Aerosil®)and/or filter aid.

In certain embodiments, Fraction II+III precipitate that has beenextracted with a suitable dissolution buffer will be treated with at orabout between 5 mg and 100 mg finely divided silicon dioxide per gram ofsuspended Fraction II+III precipitate. In a preferred embodiment, theFraction II+III suspension will be treated with at or about between 20mg and 80 mg finely divided silicon dioxide per gram of suspendedFraction II+III precipitate. In a more preferred embodiment, theFraction II+III suspension will be treated with at or about between 40mg and 60 mg finely divided silicon dioxide per gram of suspendedFraction II+III precipitate. In another preferred embodiment, theFraction II+III suspension will be treated with at or about 50 mg finelydivided silicon dioxide per gram of suspended Fraction II+IIIprecipitate. In certain embodiments, finely divided silicon dioxide isadded at a concentration of at or about between 20 g/kg II+III paste and100 g/kg II+III paste (i.e., for a Fraction II+III precipitate that isextracted at a ratio of 1:15, finely divided silicon dioxide should beadded at a concentration at or about between 20 g/16 kg II+IIIsuspension and 100 g/16 kg II+III suspension, or at a finalconcentration at or about between 0.125% (w/w) and 0.625% (w/w)). Incertain embodiments, the finely divided silicon dioxide may be added ata concentration of at or about 5 g/kg II+III paste, or at or about 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or100 g/kg II+III paste. In one specific embodiment, finely dividedsilicon dioxide is added to the Fraction II+III suspension to a finalconcentration of at or about 40 g/16 kg II+III suspension. In apreferred embodiment, the finely divided silicon dioxide used isAerosil® 380 or an equivalent thereof.

Generally, the finely divided silicon dioxide treatment will beperformed at a temperature at or about between 0° C. and 20° C.,preferably at or about between 2° C. and 8° C. In certain embodiments,the treatment may be performed at or about 0° C., 1° C., 2° C., 3° C.,4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., 10° C., 11° C., 12° C., 13°C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 17° C., 18° C., 19° C., or 20° C. Typically,the Fraction II+III suspension will be stirred with finely dividedsilicon dioxide for at least 15 minutes. In certain embodiments, theFraction II+III suspension will be stirred with finely divided silicondioxide for at least 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110minutes, or at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more hours. In a preferredembodiment, the Fraction II+III suspension will be stirred with finelydivided silicon dioxide for at or about between 30 and 60 minutes. Inanother preferred embodiment, the Fraction II+III suspension will bestirred with finely divided silicon dioxide for at least 30 minutes.

In certain embodiments, filter aid, for example Celpure C300 (Celpure)or Hyflo-Supper-Cel (World Minerals), will be added to facilitate depthfiltration. Filter aid can be added at a final concentration of fromabout 0.1 kg/kg Fraction II+III precipitate to about 0.7 kg/kg FractionII+III precipitate, or from about 0.2 kg/kg Fraction II+III precipitateto about 0.6 kg/kg Fraction II+III precipitate, or from about 0.3 kg/kgFraction II+III precipitate to about 0.5 kg/kg Fraction II+IIIprecipitate. In certain embodiments, the filter aid will be added at afinal concentration of about 0.1 kg/kg Fraction II+III precipitate, orabout 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, or 0.7 kg/kg Fraction II+III precipitate.

In order to remove the non-solubilized and adsorbed fraction of theFraction II+III precipitate (i.e., the Fraction II+III filter cake)after silicon dioxide treatment, the suspension is filtered, typicallyusing depth filtration. Depth filters that may be employed in themethods provided herein include, metallic, glass, ceramic, organic (suchas diatomaceous earth) depth filters, and the like. Example of suitablefilters include, without limitation, Cuno 50SA, Cuno 90SA, and Cuno VRO6filters (Cuno). Alternatively, the separation step can be performed bycentrifugation rather than filtration. In a preferred embodiment, thefinely divided silicon dioxide treated Fraction II+III paste suspensionis filtered through a depth filter situated in a filter press.

6. Extraction of Factor H from Fraction I Precipitate and FractionII+III Filter Cake

After separation of a Fraction I precipitate from a Fraction Isupernatant by centrifugation or filtration, Factor H can be extractedfrom the Fraction I precipitate by the addition of a Factor H extractionbuffer, which can be used to re-suspend the Fraction I precipitate at aratio of 1 part precipitate to at or about between 25 and 30 parts ofextraction buffer. Other suitable re-suspension ratios may be used, forexample at or about between 1:4 and 1:40, or at or about between 1:8 and1:30, or at or about between 1:10 and 1:20, or at or about between 1:12and 1:18, or at or about between 1:13 and 1:17, or at or about between1:14 and 1:16. In certain embodiments, the ratio may be at or about 1:4,1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17,1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21, 1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29,1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:33, 1:34, 1:35, 1:36, 1:37, 1:38, 1:39, 1:40, orhigher.

In a related embodiment, Factor H can be extracted from a Fraction Iprecipitate by re-circulating a Factor H extraction buffer through aFraction I precipitate cake or pellet. In one embodiment, a Factor Hextraction buffer may be re-circulated through a Fraction I precipitate(e.g., a Fraction I filter cake) at a ratio of 1 part precipitate to ator about between 25 and 30 parts of extraction buffer. Other suitablere-suspension ratios may be used, for example at or about between 1:4and 1:40, or at or about between 1:8 and 1:30, or at or about between1:10 and 1:20, or at or about between 1:12 and 1:18, or at or aboutbetween 1:13 and 1:17, or at or about between 1:14 and 1:16. In certainembodiments, the ratio may be at or about 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9,1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21,1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, 1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:33,1:34, 1:35, 1:36, 1:37, 1:38, 1:39, 1:40, or higher. In a preferredembodiment, the Fraction I filter cake will remain in the filter pressused to filter the precipitate from the supernatant during theextraction process.

After separation of a Fraction II+III filter cake from a Fraction II+IIIsuspension by centrifugation or filtration, Factor H can be extractedfrom the Fraction II+III filter cake by the addition of a Factor Hextraction buffer, which can be used to re-suspend the Fraction II+IIIfilter cake at a ratio of 1 part precipitate to at or about between 25and 30 parts of extraction buffer. Other suitable re-suspension ratiosmay be used, for example at or about between 1:4 and 1:40, or at orabout between 1:8 and 1:30, or at or about between 1:10 and 1:20, or ator about between 1:12 and 1:18, or at or about between 1:13 and 1:17, orat or about between 1:14 and 1:16. In certain embodiments, the ratio maybe at or about 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13,1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21, 1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25,1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, 1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:33, 1:34, 1:35, 1:36, 1:37,1:38, 1:39, 1:40, or higher.

In a related embodiment, Factor H can be extracted from a FractionII+III filter cake by re-circulating a Factor H extraction bufferthrough a Fraction II+III filter cake or pellet. In one embodiment, aFactor H extraction buffer may be re-circulated through a FractionII+III filter cake at a ratio of 1 part precipitate to at or aboutbetween 25 and 30 parts of extraction buffer. Other suitablere-suspension ratios may be used, for example at or about between 1:4and 1:40, or at or about between 1:8 and 1:30, or at or about between1:10 and 1:20, or at or about between 1:12 and 1:18, or at or aboutbetween 1:13 and 1:17, or at or about between 1:14 and 1:16. In certainembodiments, the ratio may be at or about 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9,1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21,1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, 1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:33,1:34, 1:35, 1:36, 1:37, 1:38, 1:39, 1:40, or higher. Ina preferredembodiment, the Fraction I filter cake will remain in the filter pressused to filter the precipitate from the supernatant during theextraction process.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of extracting Factor H from a filtercake or precipitate comprises recirculation of a Factor H extractionbuffer through a filter press containing the Factor H filter cake for atleast 10 minutes. In other embodiments, the step of extracting Factor Hfrom a filter cake or precipitate comprises recirculation of a Factor Hextraction buffer through a filter press containing the Factor H filtercake for at or about between 10 and 60 minutes. In a preferredembodiment, the step of extracting Factor H from a filter cake orprecipitate comprises recirculation of a Factor H extraction bufferthrough a filter press containing the Factor H filter cake for at orabout between 20 and 40 minutes. In yet other embodiments, the step ofextracting Factor H from a filter cake or precipitate comprisesrecirculation of a Factor H extraction buffer through a filter presscontaining the Factor H filter cake for at least 10 minutes or at least15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90minutes, or longer (e.g., at least about 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours).

Generally, the extraction is performed at or about between 0° C. and 20°C., preferably at or about between 2° C. and 8° C. In certainembodiments, the extraction may be performed at or about 0° C., 1° C.,2° C., 3° C., 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C., or 10° C., 11°C., 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 17° C., 18° C., 19° C., or20° C. In a particular embodiment, the extraction is performed at orabout between 2° C. and 10° C.

Any suitable buffer may be used for the extraction of Factor H from aFraction I precipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake. Typicalextractions buffers will contain at least a buffering agent and a salt.In certain embodiments, the extraction buffer will contain at or aboutbetween 10 and 250 mM of a buffering agent. In certain embodiments, thebuffering agent will be present at a concentration of at or about 10 mM,or 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160,170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 mM or more buffering agent.In certain embodiments, the extraction buffer will have an ionicstrength of at or about between 5 and 100 mS/cm. In specific embodimentsthe extraction buffer will contain at or about between 50 and 500 mMsalt. In certain embodiments, the salt will be present at aconcentration of at or about 50 mM or at or about 75, 100, 125, 150,175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 mM or more salt.

Factor H extraction buffers will generally have a pH of at or aboutbetween 6.0 and 9.0. In certain embodiments, a Factor H extractionbuffer will have a pH of at or about 6.0, or at or about 6.1, 6.2, 6.3,6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7,7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, or 9.0. In apreferred embodiment, the Factor H buffer will have a pH at or aboutbetween 7.0 and 8.0. In a specific embodiment, the extraction bufferwill have a pH of at or about 7.0. In another specific embodiment, theextraction buffer will have a pH of at or about 7.5. In another specificembodiment, the extraction buffer will have a pH of at or about 8.0.Non-limiting examples of buffering agents that may be used for theformulation of a Factor H extraction buffer include potassium phosphate,sodium phosphate, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, ammonium acetate,cacodylic acid, imidazole, boric acid, bicine, ACES, BES, BIS-Tris,BIS-Tris-propane, CAPS, CHES, glycine amide, glycylglycine, MES, MOPS,PIPES, HEPES, TAPS, TES, tricine, triethanolamine, and Tris.

In one embodiment, the Factor H extraction buffer will include orconsist of 25 mM Tris; 5 mM EDTA; 200 mM NaCl; pH 8.0. In anotherembodiment, the Factor H extraction buffer will include or consist of100 mM sodium phosphate; 150 mM sodium chloride; pH 7.5.

7. Third Precipitation Step—Removal of Impurities

In one embodiment, the method further comprises precipitating impuritiesfrom an enriched Factor H composition to form a precipitate (hereinreferred to as “Precipitate 3”) and a supernatant (herein referred to as“Supernatant 3”). In certain embodiments, this step comprisesprecipitating at least one impurity, for example a lipid or protein,from the composition and then separating the precipitate from thesupernatant containing Factor H. Precipitants suitable for precipitatingimpurities from a plasma-derived fraction are well known in the art andinclude, without limitation, alcohol (e.g., ethanol, methanol, etc.),water soluble polymers (e.g., PEG, dextrans, etc.), salts (e.g.,ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, sodium citrate, etc.), short chainfatty acids (e.g., hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, caprylic acid, nanoicacid, decanoic acid, etc.), and the like. In certain embodiments,precipitation may be facilitated by matching the pH of the solution tothe isoelectric point of a component of interest, i.e., isoelectricpoint precipitation.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the step ofprecipitating at least one impurity from an enriched Factor Hcomposition with at or about between 10% and 20% ethanol at a pH at orabout between 7.0 and 9.0. In a preferred embodiment, the methodcomprises the step of precipitating at least one impurity from anenriched Factor H composition with at or about between 12% and 18%ethanol at a pH at or about between 7.3 and 8.7. In a more preferredembodiment, the method comprises the step of precipitating at least oneimpurity from an enriched Factor H composition with at or about between14% and 16% ethanol at a pH at or about between 7.5 and 8.5. In a morepreferred embodiment, the method comprises the step of precipitating atleast one impurity from an enriched Factor H composition with at orabout between 14% and 16% ethanol at a pH at or about between 7.8 and8.2. In a most preferred embodiment, the method comprises the step ofprecipitating at least one impurity from an enriched Factor Hcomposition with at or about 15% ethanol and at or about a pH of 8.0.

The concentration of the precipitant, e.g., ethanol, may be adjusted tomaximize the precipitation of one or more impurities and/or minimize theprecipitation of Factor H. In certain embodiments, the precipitation maybe performed by the addition of at or about 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%,15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19% or 20% ethanol. In a preferred embodiment, theprecipitation is performed by the addition of at or about between 12%and 18% ethanol. In a more preferred embodiment, the precipitation isperformed with at or about between 13% and 17% ethanol. In a morepreferred embodiment, the precipitation is performed with at or aboutbetween 14% and 16% ethanol. In a most preferred embodiment, theprecipitation is performed with at or about 15% ethanol.

The pH of the solution may be adjusted to maximize the precipitation ofone or more impurities and/or to minimize the precipitation of Factor H.In certain embodiments, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at orabout 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2,8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, or 9.0. In a preferred embodiment,the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or about between 7.2 and 8.8.In another preferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted toat or about between 7.3 and 8.7. In another preferred embodiment, the pHof the solution is adjusted to at or about between 7.4 and 8.6. In amore preferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at orabout between 7.5 and 8.5. In a more preferred embodiment, the pH of thesolution is adjusted to at or about between 7.6 and 8.4. In a morepreferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or aboutbetween 7.7 and 8.3. In a more preferred embodiment, the pH of thesolution is adjusted to at or about between 7.8 and 8.2. In a morepreferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or aboutbetween 7.9 and 8.1. In a most preferred embodiment, the pH of thesolution is adjusted to at or about 8.0.

8. Fourth Precipitation Step—Factor H Precipitation

In one embodiment, the enriched Factor H composition may be furtherpurified subsequent to extraction from a Fraction I precipitate,Fraction II+III suspension, or Fraction II+III filter cake byprecipitating Factor H out of the enriched composition to form aprecipitate (herein referred to as “Precipitate 4”) and a supernatant(herein referred to as “Supernatant 4”). In certain embodiments, anenriched Factor H composition may be subjected to a third precipitationstep, as described above, to remove at least one impurity from thecomposition, as described above, and then to a fourth precipitation stepto precipitate and recover Factor H.

In a preferred embodiment, precipitating Factor H from an enrichedcomposition comprises the addition of between about 20% and about 30%ethanol at a pH between about 5.0 and about 7.0. In a preferredembodiment, the method comprises the step of precipitating Factor H withbetween about 22% to about 28% ethanol at a pH between about 5.5 andabout 6.5. In a more preferred embodiment, the method comprises the stepof precipitating Factor H with between about 24% to about 26% ethanol ata pH between about 5.8 and about 6.2. In a most preferred embodiment,the method comprises the step of precipitating Factor H with at or about25% ethanol and at or about a pH of 6.0.

The concentration of the precipitant, e.g., ethanol, may be adjusted tomaximize the precipitation Factor H and/or minimize the precipitation ofone or more impurities. In certain embodiments, the precipitation may beperformed by the addition of at or about 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%,26%, 27%, 28%, 29% or 30% ethanol. In a preferred embodiment, theprecipitation is performed by the addition at or about between 22% and28% ethanol. In a more preferred embodiment, the precipitation isperformed with at or about between 23% and 27% ethanol. With a morepreferred embodiment, the precipitation is performed with at or aboutbetween 24% and 26% ethanol. In a most preferred embodiment, theprecipitation is performed with at or about 25% ethanol.

The pH of the solution may be adjusted to maximize the precipitationFactor H and/or minimize the precipitation of one or more impurities. Incertain embodiments, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or about5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3,6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, or 7.0. In a preferred embodiment, the pHof the solution is adjusted to at or about between 5.2 and 6.8. Inanother preferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to ator about between 5.3 and 6.7. In another preferred embodiment, the pH ofthe solution is adjusted to at or about between 5.4 and 6.6. In a morepreferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or aboutbetween 5.5 and 6.5. In a more preferred embodiment, the pH of thesolution is adjusted to at or about between 5.6 and 6.4. In a morepreferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or aboutbetween 5.7 and 6.3. In a more preferred embodiment, the pH of thesolution is adjusted to at or about between 5.8 and 6.2. In a morepreferred embodiment, the pH of the solution is adjusted to at or aboutbetween 5.9 and 6.1. In a most preferred embodiment, the pH of thesolution is adjusted to at or about 6.0.

9. Chromatographic Methods

In certain embodiments, the method for preparing an enriched Factor Hcomposition further comprises at least one, preferably two or more,chromatographic steps to further enrich the purity of the composition.Generally, any suitable chromatographic method may be employed tofurther enrich the Factor H composition extracted from a Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake.

In certain embodiments, the chromatographic step may comprise anionexchange chromatography (AEC), cation exchange chromatography (CEC),heparin affinity chromatography, hydrophobic exchange chromatography(HIC), hydroxyapatite chromatography (HAP), immuno-affinitychromatography, size exclusion chromatography (i.e., gel filtration), orother suitable chromatographic step. Chromatographic steps may beperformed in either batch or column mode.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: bindingFactor H to an anion exchange resin; eluting Factor H from the anionexchange resin with an elution buffer, thereby forming a first eluatecontaining Factor H. In a more preferred embodiment, the method furthercomprises the steps of binding Factor H from the anion exchange eluateto a heparin affinity resin; and eluting the Factor H from the heparinaffinity resin with an elution buffer, thereby forming a second eluatecontaining Factor H. In certain embodiments, the chromatographic methodsmay further comprise wash steps to remove loosely bound impurities fromthe chromatographic resin prior to the elution of Factor H. In certainembodiments, Factor H may be eluted from a chromatography resin bygradient elution, e.g., with a salt gradient, or by step elution, e.g.,with buffers having increasing ionic strength.

Generally, the conductivity of the Factor H solution is adjusted to anappropriate ionic strength prior to binding Factor H onto achromatographic resin. The ionic strength should be low enough topromote the interaction between Factor H and the resin, yet high enoughto maintain the stability of the protein in solution. The requirementsfor the ionic strength of the solution will vary dependent upon factorssuch as the identity of the resin used (e.g., strong vs. weak anionexchange resin) and the starting purity of the solution. Various methodsmay be employed for reducing the ionic strength of a Factor Hcomposition, including without limitation, dilution of the compositionwith a solution having a low ionic strength, precipitating Factor H fromthe starting composition and re-suspending in a buffer having lowerionic strength, ultrafiltration/diafiltration, desalting and/or bufferexchange chromatography, dialysis, and the like.

Any suitable anion exchange resin may be used in the methods providedherein. Non-limiting examples of anion exchange resins suitable for useinclude, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE), quaternary aminoethyl (QAE), andquaternary ammonium (Q) resins. In a preferred embodiment, the anionexchange resin used is DEAE Sepharose™ (diethylaminoethyl-sepharose). Incertain embodiments, the Factor H composition recovered from a FractionI precipitate or a filter cake formed after the filtration orcentrifugation of a Fraction II+III paste suspension in the presence offinely divided silicon dioxide and/or filter aid, as described above.

In a preferred embodiment, Factor H is bound to a DEAE Sepharose™ resinin the presence of a low ionic strength loading buffer. Typically, thecolumn will be equilibrated with the same loading buffer or a compatiblebuffer with an ionic strength similar to the loading buffer. In certainembodiments, the loading and/or equilibration buffer will have an ionicstrength of less than at or about 12 mS/cm. In a preferred embodiment,the loading and/or equilibration buffer will have an ionic strength ofless than at or about 10 mS/cm. In a most preferred embodiment, theloading and/or equilibration buffer will have an ionic strength of at orabout 9 mS/cm. In a preferred embodiment, the loading and/orequilibration buffer will have a salt concentration of less than at orabout 100 mM NaCl, or ionic strength corresponding to less than that ofa 100 mM NaCl solution. In a more preferred embodiment, the loadingand/or equilibration buffer will have a salt concentration, orcorresponding ionic strength, of less than at or about 75 mM NaCl. In amore preferred embodiment, the salt concentration, or correspondingionic strength, will be at or about between 30 and 70 mM NaCl. In a mostpreferred embodiment, the salt concentration, or corresponding ionicstrength, will be at or about 50 mM NaCl.

Optionally, after binding Factor H, the anion exchange resin may bewashed with one or more buffers having ionic strengths intermediate ofthe loading buffer and the elution buffer. In certain embodiments, awash buffer may have an ionic strength at or about between 9 mS/cm and12.5 mS/cm. In a preferred embodiment, the wash buffer may have an ionicstrength at or about between 5 mS/cm and 10 mS/cm. In certainembodiments, the wash buffer will have a salt concentration, or ionicstrength corresponding to, at or about between 30 and 100 mM NaCl. In apreferred embodiment, the wash buffer will have a salt concentration, orionic strength corresponding to, at or about between 40 and about 70 mMNaCl. In certain embodiments, the wash buffer will have a saltconcentration, or ionic strength corresponding to, at or about 30, 35,40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 mM NaCl.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is eluted from the anion exchange resin(e.g., DEAE Sepharose™) with an elution buffer having suitable ionicstrength to disrupt the interaction between the resin and Factor H. Insome embodiments, the elution buffer will not have a suitable ionicstrength to disrupt the interaction between the resin and a contaminantthat binds the resin with higher affinity than does Factor H. In certainembodiments, the elution buffer will have an ionic strength of at leastat or about 12 mS/cm. In a preferred embodiment, the elution buffer willhave an ionic strength of at or about 13 mS/cm. In another preferredembodiment, the elution buffer will have an ionic strength of at orabout 14 mS/cm. In certain embodiments, the elution buffer will have asalt concentration, or ionic strength corresponding to, at least at orabout 100 mM NaCl, preferably at least at or about 120 mM. In certainembodiments, the elution buffer will have a salt concentration, or ionicstrength corresponding to, at least at or about 90 mM NaCl or at leastat or about 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 140, 150 mM NaCl, ormore.

Any suitable heparin affinity resin may be used in the methods providedherein, for example, resins conjugated to a heparin ligand, derivativeor mimetic of a heparin ligand, or heparin-like ligand (e.g., a sulfatedglycosaminoglycan). In a preferred embodiment, the heparin affinityresin used is Heparin Sepharose™.

In one embodiment, Factor H is further purified by heparin affinitychromatography. In a preferred embodiment, Factor H from the eluate ofan anion exchange chromatography step is further purified by heparinaffinity chromatography, e.g., a Heparin Sepharose™ resin. In oneembodiment, the ionic strength of the Factor H eluate is reduced by asuitable method, e.g., dilution, buffer exchange, dialysis, etc., andFactor H is bound to a heparin affinity resin. In certain embodiments,the ionic strength of the anion exchange eluate is reduced to less thanat or about 12 mS/cm. In a preferred embodiment, the ionic strength isreduced to less than at or about 10 mS/cm. In a more preferredembodiment, the ionic strength is reduced to less than at or about 8mS/cm. In certain embodiments, the ionic strength may be reduced to lessthan at or about 4 mS/cm, or less than at or about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, or 12 mS/cm. In certain embodiments, the salt concentration of theanion exchange eluate, or ionic strength corresponding to, is reducedless than at or about 100 mM NaCl. In a preferred embodiment, the saltconcentration, or ionic strength corresponding to, is reduced less thanat or about 75 mM NaCl. In a more preferred embodiment, the saltconcentration, or ionic strength corresponding to, is reduced to lessthan at or about 50 mM NaCl. In certain embodiments, the saltconcentration, or ionic strength corresponding to, is reduced less thanat or about 20 mM NaCl, or less than at or about 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70,80, 90, or 100 mM NaCl.

Optionally, after binding Factor H, the heparin affinity resin may bewashed with one or more buffers having ionic strengths intermediate ofthe loading buffer and the elution buffer. In certain embodiments, awash buffer may have an ionic strength at or about between 3 mS/cm and12.5 mS/cm. In a preferred embodiment, the wash buffer may have an ionicstrength at or about between 5 mS/cm and 10 mS/cm. In certainembodiments, the wash buffer will have a salt concentration, or ionicstrength corresponding to, at or about between 30 and 100 mM NaCl. In apreferred embodiment, the wash buffer will have a salt concentration, orionic strength corresponding to, at or about between 30 and 80 mM NaCl.In certain embodiments, the wash buffer will have a salt concentration,or ionic strength corresponding to, at or about 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55,60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 mM NaCl.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is eluted from the heparin affinityresin (e.g., DEAE Sepharose™) with an elution buffer having suitableionic strength to disrupt the interaction between the resin and FactorH. In some embodiments, the elution buffer will not have a suitableionic strength to disrupt the interaction between the resin and acontaminant that binds the resin with higher affinity than does FactorH. In certain embodiments, the elution buffer will have an ionicstrength of at least at or about 12 mS/cm. In certain embodiments, theelution buffer will have a salt concentration, or ionic strengthcorresponding to, at least at or about 100 mM NaCl. In anotherembodiment, the elution buffer will have a salt concentration, or ionicstrength corresponding to, at least at or about 150 mM NaCl. In yetanother embodiment, the elution buffer will have a salt concentration,or ionic strength corresponding to, at least at or about 200 mM NaCl. Incertain embodiments, the elution buffer will have a salt concentration,or ionic strength corresponding to, at least at or about 90 mM NaCl orat least at or about 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 140, 150,160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220 mM NaCl, or more.

An alternative purification process consists of taking an enrichedFactor H composition (e.g., extracted from a Fraction I precipitate orFraction II+III filter cake) at a pH at or about between 7.0 and 9.0,preferably at or about 8.0, and adjusting the ionic strength such thatFactor H will not bind to an anion exchange resin, for example to anionic strength equal to at or about between 120 and 150 mM NaCl, andthen contacting the solution with an anion exchange resin (e.g., a DEAEsepharose column) to bind unwanted proteins in the extract. The Factor Hwill not bind to the column and can be collected as a flow throughfraction for further processing. The Factor H pool is then adjusted toan ionic strength equivalent to no more than at or about 65 mM NaCl,preferably no more than at or about 50 mM NaCl and bound to a heparinaffinity resin (e.g., a Heparin Sepharose™ column). A buffer having anionic strength suitable to elute the Factor H from the resin is thenadded to recover the Factor H. In a preferred embodiment, the elutionbuffer will have an ionic strength equivalent to a sodium chlorideconcentration of at or about between 90 and 250 mM NaCl, preferably ator about between 100 and 200 mM NaCl. The ionic strength of the Factor Heluate can then be lowered to a level suitable for binding Factor H toan anion exchange resin, for example to an ionic strength equivalent tono more than at or about 65 mM NaCl, preferably no more than about 50 mMNaCl. Factor H is then bound to the anion exchange resin (e.g., a DEAESepharose™ column) to remove impurities from the pool that do not bindthe resin under these conditions. The Factor H is eluted with a bufferhaving a suitable ionic strength, for example an ionic strengthequivalent to at least at or about 100 mM NaCl, preferably at least ator about 120 mM NaCl.

Any suitable cation exchange resin may be used in the methods providedherein. Non-limiting examples of cation exchange resins suitable for useinclude, carboxymethyl (CM), sulfopropyl (SP), methyl sulfonate (S)resins.

Any suitable hydroxyapatite or other calcium-based resin may be used inthe methods provided herein. Non-limiting examples of suitable resinsinclude hydroxyapatite resins, fluorapatite resins, fluorhydroxyapatiteresins, and the like.

Any suitable hydrophobic interaction chromatography resin may be used inthe methods provided herein. Non-limiting examples of suitable resinsinclude phenyl-resins, methyl-resins, butyl-resins, octyl-resins, andthe like.

In certain embodiments, Factor H may be further enriched byimmuno-affinity chromatography, for example with resins conjugated to anantibody, aptamer, or other binding molecule highly specific for FactorH.

In certain embodiments, individual or all chromatographic steps willrely on a common buffer system, in which only the salt concentrationvaries between the equilibration, wash, and elution buffers. Anysuitable buffer may be used, e.g., a Tris buffer, a phosphate buffer, acitrate buffer, etc. The pH of the loading buffer will range at or aboutbetween 6.0 and 9.0. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the buffersystem is at or about between 7.0 and 9.0. In a more preferredembodiment, the pH of the buffer system is at or about between 7.5 and8.5. In a most preferred embodiment, the pH of the buffer system will beat or about 8.0.

10. Virus Inactivation and Removal

In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein for the preparationof an enriched Factor H composition will further include at least one,preferably at least two, most preferably at least three, viralinactivation or removal steps. Non-limiting examples of viralinactivation or removal steps that may be employed with the methodsprovided herein include, solvent detergent treatment (Horowitz et al.,Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 1994 (5 Suppl 3):S21-S28 and Kreil et al.,Transfusion 2003 (43):1023-1028, the disclosures of which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes),nanofiltration (Hamamoto et al., Vox Sang 1989 (56)230-236 and Yuasa etal., J Gen Virol. 1991 (72 (pt 8)):2021-2024, the disclosures of whichare expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties forall purposes), and low pH incubation at high temperatures (Kempf et al.,Transfusion 1991 (31)423-427 and Louie et al., Biologicals 1994(22):13-19, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated byreference herein in its entirety for all purposes).

Viral inactivation or removal steps may be performed on any intermediateFactor H fractions generated during the manufacturing process. Forexample, in one embodiment, a viral inactivation or removal step may beperformed on a Fraction I supernatant, Fraction II+III suspension,Fraction II+III filter cake extract, Supernatant 3, Precipitate 4suspension, anion exchange eluate, heparin affinity eluate, and thelike.

In one embodiment, a viral inactivation or removal step is performed onthe Fraction II+III filter cake extract. In a preferred embodiment theFraction II+III filter cake extract is subjected to solvent anddetergent (S/D) treatment.

In a second embodiment, a viral inactivation or removal step isperformed on the Precipitation 3 supernatant (Supernatant 3). In apreferred embodiment the Precipitation 3 supernatant is subjected tosolvent and detergent (S/D) treatment.

In a third embodiment, a viral inactivation or removal step is performedon the Precipitate 4 suspension. In a preferred embodiment thePrecipitate 4 suspension is subjected to solvent and detergent (S/D)treatment.

In a fourth embodiment, a viral inactivation or removal step isperformed on the anion exchange eluate. In a preferred embodiment theanion exchange eluate is subjected to solvent and detergent (S/D)treatment. In another preferred embodiment, the anion exchange eluate issubjected to nanofiltration.

In a fifth embodiment, a viral inactivation or removal step is performedon the heparin affinity eluate. In a preferred embodiment the heparinaffinity eluate is subjected to solvent and detergent (S/D) treatment.In another preferred embodiment, the heparin affinity eluate issubjected to nanofiltration.

In a sixth embodiment, a viral inactivation or removal step is performedon an enriched Factor H bulk solution. In a preferred embodiment, theenriched Factor H bulk solution is subjected to nanofiltration. Inanother preferred embodiment, the enriched Factor H bulk solution issubjected to incubation at low pH and/or high temperatures.

In a seventh embodiment, a lyophilized Factor H composition is heattreated to inactivate viruses.

In one embodiment, a manufacturing process for plasma-derived Factor His provided that contains two viral inactivation or removal steps. In apreferred embodiment, the process contains both solvent and detergenttreatment and nanofiltration steps for the inactivation and removal ofviral particles. In one preferred embodiment, the manufacturing processcomprises subjecting the Precipitate 3 supernatant to S/D treatment andthe heparin eluate to nanofiltration. In another preferred embodiment,the manufacturing process comprises subjecting the Precipitate 4suspension or a clarified filtrate thereof to S/D treatment and theheparin eluate to nanofiltration. In another preferred embodiment, themanufacturing process further comprises a viral inactivation stepcomprising incubating a final bulk Factor H composition at low pH for anextended period of time.

a) Solvent and Detergent (S/D) Treatment

In order to inactivate various viral contaminants which may be presentin plasma-derived products, one or more Factor H intermediate solutionsmay be subjected to a solvent detergent (S/D) treatment. Methods for thedetergent treatment of plasma-derived fractions are well known in theart (for review see, Pelletier J P et al., Best Pract Res Clin Haematol.2006; 19(1):205-42, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated byreference herein in its entirety for all purposes). Generally, anystandard S/D treatment may be used in conjunction with the methodsprovided herein. For example, an exemplary protocol for an S/D treatmentis provided below.

In one embodiment, Triton X-100, Tween-20, and tri(n-butyl)phosphate(TNBP) are added to a Factor H intermediate solution at finalconcentrations of at or about 1.0%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively. Themixture is then stirred at a temperature at or about between 18° C. and25° C. for at least about an hour.

In one embodiment, the S/D reagents (e.g., Triton X-100, Tween-20, andTNBP) are added by spraying rather than by fluent addition. In otherembodiments, the detergent reagents may be added as solids to the FactorH intermediate solution, which is being mixed to ensure rapiddistribution of the S/D components. In certain embodiments, it ispreferable to add solid reagents by sprinkling the solids over adelocalized surface area of the filtrate such that localoverconcentration does not occur, such as in fluent addition. In anotherembodiment, the Factor H containing solution is pumped into a tank wherethe SD-reagents are already present either in concentrated or dilutedform.

b) Nanofiltration and Ultra/Diafiltration

In order to further reduce the viral load of the Factor H compositionprovided herein, a Factor H fraction, for example the heparin affinityeluate, may be nanofiltered using a suitable nanofiltration device. Incertain embodiments, the nanofiltration device will have a mean poresize of at or about between 15 nm and 200 nm. Examples of nanofilterssuitable for this use include, without limitation, DVD, DV 50, DV 20(Pall), Viresolve NFP, Viresolvek NFR (Millipore), Planova 15N, 20N,35N, and 75N (Planova). In a specific embodiment, the nanofilter mayhave a mean pore size of at or about between 15 and 72 nm, or at orabout between 19 and 35 nm, or of at or about 15 nm, 19 nm, 35 nm, or 72nm. In a preferred embodiment, the nanofilter will have a mean pore sizeof at or about 35 nm, such as an Asahi PLANOVA 35N filter or equivalentthereof.

Optionally, ultrafiltration/diafiltration may performed to furtherconcentrate the nanofiltrate. In one embodiment, an open channelmembrane is used with a specifically designed post-wash and formulationnear the end the production process resulting in a Factor H compositionof high concentration.

Subsequent to nanofiltration, the filtrate may be further concentratedby ultrafiltration and/or the buffer composition adjusted bydiafiltration. In one embodiment, the nanofiltrate may be concentratedby ultrafiltration to a protein concentration of at or about between0.5% and 10% (w/v). In certain embodiments, the ultrafiltration iscarried out in a cassette with an open channel screen and theultrafiltration membrane has a nominal molecular weight cut off (NMWCO)of less than at or about 150 kDa or less than at or about 140, 130, 120,100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, or fewer kDa. In a preferredembodiment, the ultrafiltration membrane has a NMWCO of no more than 50kDa.

Upon completion of the ultrafiltration step, buffer exchange may beperformed by diafiltration against a solution suitable for intravenous,intramuscular, intraocular, subcutaneous, or other appropriateadministration. In certain embodiments, the diafiltration solution maycomprise a stabilizing and/or buffering agent, for example, salts,sugars, and/or a non-ionic detergent (e.g., Polysorbate 80).

Typically, the minimum exchange volume is at least at or about 3 timesthe original concentrate volume or at least at or about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, or more times the original concentrate volume. The Factor H solutionmay be concentrated to a final protein concentration of at or aboutbetween 0.5% and 25% (w/v), or at or about between 1% and 25% (w/v), orat or about between 2% and 20% (w/v), or at or about between 3% and 15%(w/v), or at or about between 5% and 10% (w/v), or at or about between9% and 12%, or at or about between 3% and 7% (w/v), or at or aboutbetween 8% and 14% (w/v), or at or about between 4% and 6%, or to afinal concentration of at or about 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%,5%, or 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%,20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25% or higher.

c) Incubation at Low pH

In certain embodiments, a Factor H containing solution may be treated toreduce or inactivate the viral load of the composition. In oneembodiment, this is achieved by adjusting the pH of the of thecomposition to low pH, for example, less than at or about 6.0, andincubating for at least about a week prior to releasing the composition.In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the bulk solution is adjusted toless than at or about 5.5 prior to incubation. In a more preferredembodiment, the pH of the solution is lowered to less than at or about5.0 prior to incubation. In certain embodiments, the pH of the solutionis lowered to less than at or about 6.0 or less than at or about 5.9,5.8, 5.7, 5.6, 5.5, 5.4, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, 4.9, 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5,4.4, 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, or lower prior to incubation.

In certain embodiments, the solution is then incubated for at least ator about one week, or at least at or about 2, 3, 4, or more weeks, orfor at least at or about 1, 2, 3, or more months. In preferredembodiments, the composition is incubated at a temperature at or aboutabove 20° C., or at or about above 25° C., or at or about above 30° C.In particular embodiments, the composition is incubated at a temperatureof at or about 20° C., or at or about 21° C., 22° C., 23° C., 24° C.,25° C., 26° C., 27° C., 28° C., 29° C., 30° C., 31° C., 32° C., 33° C.,34° C., 35° C., 36° C., 37° C., 38° C., 39° C., 40° C., or higher.

d) Lyophilization and Heat Treatment

In yet other embodiments, the present invention provided lyophilizedFactor H compositions. The viral activity of these lyophilizedcomposition, which may have previously been subjected to other viralinactivation or removal steps such as S/D treatment or nanofiltration,may be further reduced by heat treatment of the lyophilized composition(i.e., Factor H lyo cake). Heat treatments for the inactivation of viralloads in blood factors are well known in the art (for example, see,Piszkiewicz et al., Thromb Res. 1987 Jul. 15; 47(2):235-41; Piszkiewiczet al., Curr Stud Hematol Blood Transfus. 1989; (56):44-54; Epstein andFricke, Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1990 March; 114(3):335-40).

11. Formulation

Upon completion of the Factor H enrichment process, e.g., after a finaldiafiltration step, the protein concentration of the solution isadjusted to with a buffer, e.g., the diafiltration buffer, to a finalconcentration of at or about between 0.5% and 20% (w/v), or at or aboutbetween 1% and 25% (w/v), or at or about between 2% and 20% (w/v), or ator about between 3% and 15% (w/v), or at or about between 5% and 10%(w/v), or at or about between 9% and 12%, or at or about between 3% and7% (w/v), or at or about between 8% and 14% (w/v), or at or aboutbetween 4% and 6%, or to a final concentration of at or about 0.1%,0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%,14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, or higher.

In certain embodiments, the formulated bulk solution may be furthersterilized by filtering through a membrane filter with an absolute poresize of no more than about 0.22 micron, for example about 0.1 or 0.2micron. In certain embodiments, the solution may be asepticallydispensed into final containers for proper sealing, with samples takenfor testing.

B. Alcohol Addition

Advantageously, it has been found that, for purposes of fractionatingblood products (e.g., Factor H, IgG, Albumin) from plasma, addition ofalcohol by a method that finely disperses or that rapidly disperses thealcohol at the point of addition results in reduced loss of bloodproduct yields. Without being bound by theory, during fluent addition toa plasma fraction, transient local overconcentration of alcohol at thefluid ingress may lead to protein denaturation and irreversible lossand/or precipitation of a blood factor during steps in which the bloodfactor should remain in the supernatant. Furthermore, these effects mayby amplified when large volumes of alcohol need to be added, such as inindustrial scale purifications involving the fractionation of at least100 L of pooled plasma.

In one embodiment, alcohol is added in one or more precipitation stepsby a method that finely disperses the alcohol over a delocalized area.For example, alcohol can be added to a fractionation step by sprayingonto the surface of the vessel or tank containing the plasma fraction.Accordingly, in one aspect of the methods provided herein, one or moreprecipitation steps are performed by the spray addition of alcohol. Incertain embodiments, spray addition may be performed by using anypressurized device, such as a container (e.g., a spray bottle), that hasa spray head or a nozzle and is operated manually or automatically togenerate a fine mist from a liquid. In certain embodiments, sprayaddition is performed while the system is continuously stirred orotherwise mixed to ensure rapid and equal distribution of the liquidwithin the system.

In another embodiment, alcohol is added in one or more precipitationsteps by a method that rapidly disperses the alcohol at the point ofaddition. For example, alcohol can be added from below the vessel ortank containing the plasma fraction, directly adjacent to a stirringapparatus (e.g., a propeller). In certain embodiments, fluent additionat a ingress directly adjacent to a stirring apparatus is performedwhile the system is continuously stirred or otherwise mixed to ensurerapid and equal distribution of the liquid within the system.

C. Adjustment of the pH

The protein precipitation profiles of plasma fractions is highlydependent upon the pH of the solution from which the plasma proteins arebeing precipitated. This fact has been exploited by scientistsfractionating plasma proteins since the introduction of the Cohn andOncley methods in 1946 and 1949, respectively. Traditionally, the pH ofa plasma fraction is adjusted prior to alcohol addition to facilitatethe highest recovery yields for the component(s) of interest.Advantageously, it has now been found that by adjusting the pH of thesolution directly after addition of alcohol or concomitant with alcoholaddition results in a more defined and reproducible precipitation. Itwas found that ethanol addition to plasma fractions results influctuations in the pH of the solution, generally by raising the pH ofthe solution. As such, by adjusting the pH of a plasma fraction to apredetermined pH before but not after alcohol addition, theprecipitation reaction will occur at a non-optimal pH.

Likewise, precipitation of proteins from a plasma fraction will effectthe electrostatic environment and will thus alter the pH of thesolution. Accordingly, as a precipitation event is allowed to progress,the pH of the solution will begin to diverge from the predetermined pHvalue that allows for maximal recovery of the protein species ofinterest. This is especially true for precipitation events in which alarge fraction of the protein is being precipitated, precipitationevents in which a high alcohol content is used, and precipitation eventsthat require a long incubation period.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the methods provided herein, the pH of aplasma fraction is adjusted directly after the addition of alcohol. Inrelated embodiments, the pH may be adjusted before and after alcoholaddition, or during and after alcohol addition, or before, during, andafter alcohol addition. In a related embodiment, the pH of a solution iscontinuously adjusted during one or more alcohol precipitation events orincubations. In certain embodiments, the pH of a solution iscontinuously adjusted or maintained while the system is continuouslystirred or otherwise mixed to ensure rapid and equal distribution of thepH modifying agent within the system.

Similar to the case of fluent alcohol addition, it has now been foundthat the fluent addition of large volumes of a pH modifying agent maycause transient local pH variations, resulting in unwanted proteindenaturation or precipitation. Accordingly, in one embodiment of themethods provided herein, pH modifying agents may be introduced into oneor more plasma fractionation steps by a method that finely disperses orthat rapidly disperses the alcohol at the point of addition.

In one embodiment, a pH modifying agent is added in one or more steps bya method that finely disperses the pH modifying agent over a delocalizedarea. For example, the pH modifying agent can be added to a step byspraying onto the surface of the plasma fraction contained within avessel or tank. In another embodiment of the methods provided herein,the pH of a plasma fraction or precipitation step may be adjusted byspray addition of a pH modifying agent. In certain embodiments, sprayaddition may be performed by using any pressurized device, such as acontainer (e.g., a spray bottle), that has a spray head or a nozzle andis operated manually or automatically to generate a fine mist from aliquid. In certain embodiments, spray addition is performed while thesystem is continuously stirred or otherwise mixed to ensure rapid andequal distribution of the liquid within the system.

In another embodiment, a pH modifying agent is added in one or moresteps by a method that rapidly disperses the pH modifying agent at thepoint of addition. For example, a pH modifying agent can be added frombelow the vessel or tank containing the plasma fraction, directlyadjacent to a stirring apparatus (e.g., a propeller). In certainembodiments, fluent addition at a ingress directly adjacent to astirring apparatus is performed while the system is continuously stirredor otherwise mixed to ensure rapid and equal distribution of the liquidwithin the system.

In yet another embodiment, a pH modifying agent is added in one or moresteps by sprinkling a solid pH modifying agent over a delocalized areaon the surface of the plasma fraction. In certain embodiments, additionby this means is performed while the system is continuously stirred orotherwise mixed to ensure rapid and equal distribution of the pHmodifying agent within the system.

IV. Factor H Compositions

Factor H compositions have been described for the treatment of certaincomplement related disorders. (See, for example, U.S. Patent PublicationNo. US 2009/0118163 and European Patent Application No. EP 0 222 611 A2,the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties for all purposes.)

In one aspect, the present invention provides Factor H compositionsprepared according to a method described herein. In one embodiment,Factor H is prepared from materials otherwise discarded during themanufacture of a commercial plasma-derived blood product, for exampleIgG or Albumin. In one embodiment, a Factor H composition is provided,wherein Factor H is extracted from a Fraction I precipitate and/or aFraction II+III filter cake.

Factor H as described in this invention can be formulated intopharmaceutical preparations for therapeutic use. The purified proteinmay be dissolved in conventional physiologically compatible aqueousbuffer solutions to which there may be added, optionally, pharmaceuticalexcipients to provide pharmaceutical preparations.

Such pharmaceutical carriers and excipients as well as suitablepharmaceutical formulations are well known in the art (see for example“Pharmaceutical Formulation Development of Peptides and Proteins”,Frokjaer et al., Taylor & Francis (2000) or “Handbook of PharmaceuticalExcipients”, 3^(rd) edition, Kibbe et al., Pharmaceutical Press (2000)).In particular, the pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptidevariant of the invention may be formulated in lyophilized or stablesoluble form. The polypeptide variant may be lyophilized by a variety ofprocedures known in the art. Lyophilized formulations are reconstitutedprior to use by the addition of one or more pharmaceutically acceptablediluents such as sterile water for injection or sterile physiologicalsaline solution.

Formulations of the composition are delivered to the individual by anypharmaceutically suitable means of administration. Various deliverysystems are known and can be used to administer the composition by anyconvenient route. Preferentially the compositions of the invention areadministered systemically. For systemic use, Factor H of the inventionis formulated for parenteral (e.g. intravenous, subcutaneous,intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerebral, intrapulmonar,intranasal, intravitreal, or transdermal) or enteral (e.g., oral,vaginal or rectal) delivery according to conventional methods. Theformulations can be administered continuously by infusion or by bolusinjection. Some formulations encompass slow release systems. Preferredroutes of administration will depend upon the indication being treated,managed, or prevented. For example, in one embodiment, wherein Factor His administered for the treatment of AMD, the preferred route ofadministration will be intravitreal. In a second embodiment, whereinFactor H is being administered for the treatment or management of aHUS,the preferred route of administration will be intravenous. A skilledphysician will readily be able to determine the preferred route ofadministration for the particular affliction being treated, managed, orprevented.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a substantiallypurified Factor H preparation prepared according to a method providedherein. In one embodiment, the method comprises (a) performing Cohnfractionation to obtain a Fraction II+III precipitate and preparing asuspension of the combined precipitates, (b) filtering the re-suspendedFraction II+III precipitate to obtain a filter cake discard left behindafter filtration of the Fraction II+III suspension; (c) extracting thefilter cake according to a method comprising the steps of: (i)dissolving the filter cake in a suitable buffer of appropriate ionicstrength for a time sufficient to dissolve the protein caked on saidfilter cake; (ii) diluting said dissolved protein with additionalbuffer, (iii) removing debris from the diluted protein, (iv) purifyingFactor H protein from said diluted protein preparation by subjecting thediluted protein to ultrafiltration on a 0.45 μm filter to produce afiltrate containing Factor H; (v) subjecting the filtrate containingFactor H to anion exchange chromatography using a NaCl gradient (50-500mM) in the running buffer to produce a pooled crude Factor H fraction;and (vi) purifying Factor H from said crude Factor H preparation byHeparin Sepharose™ chromatography using a gradient of NaCl (50-500 mM).

In one aspect of the substantially purified Factor H preparation, theFactor H preparation is an active Factor H preparation that is composedof a mixture of Tyr-402 and His-402 isoforms in the range 50%±20%His-402: 50%±20% Tyr-402.

A. Aqueous Compositions

In one aspect, the present invention provides aqueous compositions ofplasma-derived Factor H prepared from materials otherwise discardedduring the preparation of other commercially important blood products byplasma fractionation. Aqueous Factor H compositions prepared by themethods provided herein will have high Factor H content and purity. Forexample, Factor compositions provided herein may have a proteinconcentration of at least at or about 3% (w/v) and a Factor H content ofgreater than at or about 90% purity.

In one embodiment, aqueous compositions of Factor H are provided thatare prepared from a Fraction II+III filter cake. In one embodiment, anaqueous composition of Factor H is provided that is prepared by a methodcomprising the steps of: (i) extracting Factor H from a Fraction II+IIIfilter cake, (ii) optionally performing a first precipitation step toprecipitate at least one impurity from the Factor H composition, (iii)optionally performing a second precipitation step to precipitate FactorH from the composition, (iv) optionally performing at least one ionexchange chromatography step, (v) optionally performing at least oneheparin affinity chromatography step; and (vi) optionally performing atleast one viral inactivation or removal step, thereby preparing anaqueous Factor H composition.

In a preferred embodiment, a Factor H composition is provided that isprepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) precipitating proteinsfrom a cryo-poor plasma fraction, in a first precipitation step, withbetween about 6% and about 10% alcohol at a pH of between about 7.0 andabout 7.5 to obtain a first precipitate and a first supernatant; (b)precipitating Factor H from the first supernatant, in a secondprecipitation step, with between about 20% and about 25% alcohol at a pHof between about 6.7 and about 7.3 to form a second precipitate; (c)re-suspending the second precipitate to form a suspension; (d) mixingfinely divided silicon dioxide (SiO2) with the suspension from step (c);(e) filtering the suspension with a filter press, thereby forming afilter cake and a supernatant; and (f) extracting Factor H from thefilter cake with a Factor H extraction buffer, thereby preparing anaqueous composition of Factor H.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is extracted from the filter cake byre-circulation of an extraction buffer through a filter press containingthe filter cake. Generally, the extraction buffer will be re-circulatedthrough the filter cake for at or about between 5 minutes and 2 hours.In a preferred embodiment, the extraction buffer will be re-circulatedthrough the filter cake for at or about between 10 and 60 minutes. Inanother preferred embodiment, the extraction buffer will bere-circulated through the filter cake for at or about between 20 and 40minutes. In another preferred embodiment, the extraction buffer will bere-circulated through the filter cake for at or about 30 minutes. Inother embodiments, the extraction buffer will be re-circulated throughthe filter cake for at least at or about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, ormore minutes.

In another embodiment, aqueous compositions of Factor H are providedthat are prepared from a Fraction I precipitate. In one embodiment, anaqueous composition of Factor H is provided that is prepared by a methodcomprising the steps of: (i) extracting Factor H from a Fraction Iprecipitate, (ii) optionally performing a first precipitation step toprecipitate at least one impurity from the Factor H composition, (iii)optionally performing a second precipitation step to precipitate FactorH from the composition, (iv) optionally performing at least one ionexchange chromatography step, (v) optionally performing at least oneheparin affinity chromatography step; and (vi) performing at least oneviral inactivation or removal step, thereby preparing an aqueous FactorH composition.

In a preferred embodiment, aqueous compositions of Factor H are providedthat are prepared from a Fraction I precipitate. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, a Factor H composition is provided that isprepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) precipitating proteinsfrom a cryo-poor plasma fraction, in a first precipitation step, withbetween about 6% and about 10% alcohol at a pH of between about 7.0 andabout 7.5 to obtain a first precipitate and a first supernatant; and (b)extracting Factor H from the precipitate with a Factor H extractionbuffer, thereby preparing an aqueous composition of Factor H.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is extracted from the Fraction Iprecipitate by re-circulation of an extraction buffer through a filterpress containing the Fraction I precipitate. Generally, the extractionbuffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for at or aboutbetween 5 minutes and 2 hours. In a preferred embodiment, the extractionbuffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for at or aboutbetween 10 and 60 minutes. In another preferred embodiment, theextraction buffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for ator about between 20 and 40 minutes. In another preferred embodiment, theextraction buffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for ator about 30 minutes. In other embodiments, the extraction buffer will bere-circulated through the precipitate for at least at or about 5, 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100,105, 110, 115, 120, or more minutes.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is extracted from the Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake by the addition of a Factor Hextraction buffer, which can be used to re-suspend the Fraction Iprecipitate at a ratio of 1 part precipitate to at or about between 25and 30 parts of extraction buffer. In other embodiments, there-suspension ratio is at or about between 1:4 and 1:40, or at or aboutbetween 1:8 and 1:30, or at or about between 1:10 and 1:20, or at orabout between 1:20 and 1:30, or at or about between 1:12 and 1:18, or ator about between 1:13 and 1:17, or at or about between 1:14 and 1:16. Inone embodiment, the re-suspension ratio is at or about 1:25. In anotherembodiment, the re-suspension ratio is at or about 1:30. In certainembodiments, the ratio may be at or about 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9,1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21,1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, 1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:33,1:34, 1:35, 1:36, 1:37, 1:38, 1:39, 1:40, or higher. In a preferredembodiment, Factor H is extracted by re-circulation of the extractionbuffer through a filter or filter press containing the Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake.

In certain embodiments, an aqueous composition of Factor H is provided,wherein the Factor H composition is prepared using a purification methoddescribed herein, wherein the method comprises the addition of one ormore solutions, that would otherwise be introduced into a plasmafraction by fluent addition, by a method that finely disperses or thatrapidly disperses the solution at the point of addition. For example, incertain embodiments the method will comprise the introduction of alcohol(e.g., ethanol) into a plasma fraction by spraying. In otherembodiments, solutions that may be added to a plasma fraction byspraying include, without limitation, a pH modifying solution, a solventsolution, a detergent solution, a dilution buffer, a conductivitymodifying solution, and the like. In one embodiment, one or more alcoholprecipitation steps is performed by the addition of alcohol to a plasmafraction by spraying. In a second preferred embodiment, one or more pHadjustment steps is performed by the addition of a pH modifying solutionto a plasma fraction by spraying.

In certain embodiments, an aqueous Factor H composition is provided thatis prepared by a purification method described herein, wherein themethod comprises adjusting the pH of a plasma fraction beingprecipitated after and/or concomitant with the addition of theprecipitating agent (e.g., alcohol or polyethylene glycol). In someembodiments, a process improvement is provided in which the pH of aplasma fraction being actively precipitated is maintained throughout theentire precipitation incubation or hold step by continuous monitoringand adjustment of the pH. In preferred embodiments the adjustment of thepH is performed by the spray addition of a pH modifying solution.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides aqueous Factor Hcompositions comprising a protein concentration of at or about between10 g/L and 250 g/L. In certain embodiments, the protein concentration ofthe Factor H composition is at or about between 50 g/L and 200 g/L, orat or about between 70 g/L and 150 g/L, or at or about between 90 g/Land 120 g/L, or at or about between 30 g/L and 70 g/L, or at or aboutbetween 40 g/L and 60 g/L or any suitable concentration within theseranges, for example at or about 10 g/L, or at or about 15 g/L, 20 g/L,25 g/L, 30 g/L, 35 g/L, 40 g/L, 45 g/L, 50 g/L, 55 g/L, 60 g/L, 65 g/L,70 g/L, 75 g/L, 80 g/L, 85 g/L, 90 g/L, 95 g/L, 100 g/L, 105 g/L, 110g/L, 115 g/L, 120 g/L, 125 g/L, 130 g/L, 135 g/L, 140 g/L, 145 g/L, 150g/L, 155 g/L, 160 g/L, 165 g/L, 170 g/L, 175 g/L, 180 g/L, 185 g/L, 190g/L, 195 g/L, 200 g/L, 205 g/L, 210 g/L, 215 g/L, 220 g/L, 225 g/L, 230g/L, 235 g/L, 240 g/L, 245 g/L, 250 g/L, or higher. In a preferredembodiment, Factor H compositions having high protein concentrationswill also high levels of purity. In one embodiment, at least 90% of theprotein in the composition will be Factor H. In a preferred embodiment,at least 95% of the protein in the composition will be Factor H.

The methods provided herein allow for the preparation of Factor Hcompositions having very high levels of purity. In one embodiment, atleast 90% of the total protein in a composition provided herein will beFactor H. In a preferred embodiment, at least 95% of the total proteinin a composition provided herein will be Factor H. In other embodiments,at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, ormore of the total protein of the composition will be Factor H. In onepreferred embodiment, at least 96% of the total protein of thecomposition will be Factor H. In a preferred embodiment, at least 97% ofthe total protein of the composition will be Factor H. In anotherpreferred embodiment, at least 98% of the total protein of thecomposition will be Factor H. In another preferred embodiment, at least99% of the total protein of the composition will be Factor H.

B. Pharmaceutical Compositions

In one aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceuticalcompositions of plasma-derived Factor H prepared from materialsotherwise discarded during the preparation of other commerciallyimportant blood products by plasma fractionation. Pharmaceutical FactorH compositions prepared by the methods provided herein will have highFactor H content and purity. For example, Factor H compositions providedherein may have a protein concentration of at least at or about 1% (w/v)and a Factor H content of greater than at or about 90% purity. Thesehigh purity Factor H pharmaceutical compositions and formulations aresuitable for therapeutic administration. In certain embodiments, thepharmaceutical compositions provided herein will consist of aqueousformulations of Factor H formulated for therapeutic administration. Inother embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein willconsist of lyophilized formulations of Factor H formulated fortherapeutic administration after reconstitution with water for injection(WFI) or a biologically compatible liquid, e.g., a saline or bufferedsolution.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein areprepared by formulating an aqueous Factor H composition isolated using amethod provided herein. Generally, the manufacturing pathway to theformulated composition will include at least one, preferably at leasttwo, most preferably at least three, viral inactivation or removalsteps. Non-limiting examples of viral inactivation or removal steps thatmay be employed with the methods provided herein include, solventdetergent treatment (Horowitz et al., Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 1994 (5Suppl 3):S21-S28 and Kreil et al., Transfusion 2003 (43):1023-1028, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties for all purposes), nanofiltration (Hamamoto et al., Vox Sang1989 (56)230-236 and Yuasa et al., J Gen Virol. 1991 (72 (pt8)):2021-2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties for all purposes), and low pH incubation athigh temperatures (Kempf et al., Transfusion 1991 (31)423-427 and Louieet al., Biologicals 1994 (22):13-19, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes).

In one embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of Factor H are providedthat are prepared from a Fraction II+III filter cake. In one embodiment,an aqueous composition of Factor H is provided that is prepared by amethod comprising the steps of: (i) extracting Factor H from a FractionII+III filter cake, (ii) optionally performing a first precipitationstep to precipitate at least one impurity from the Factor H composition,(iii) optionally performing a second precipitation step to precipitateFactor H from the composition, (iv) optionally performing at least oneion exchange chromatography step, (v) optionally performing at least oneheparin affinity chromatography step; (vi) performing at least one viralinactivation or removal step; and (vii) optionally lyophilizing theFactor H composition, thereby preparing a pharmaceutical Factor Hcomposition.

In a preferred embodiment, a pharmaceutical Factor H composition isprovided that is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a)precipitating proteins from a cryo-poor plasma fraction, in a firstprecipitation step, with between about 6% and about 10% alcohol at a pHof between about 7.0 and about 7.5 to obtain a first precipitate and afirst supernatant; (b) precipitating Factor H from the firstsupernatant, in a second precipitation step, with between about 20% andabout 25% alcohol at a pH of between about 6.7 and about 7.3 to form asecond precipitate; (c) re-suspending the second precipitate to form asuspension; (d) mixing finely divided silicon dioxide (SiO2) with thesuspension from step (c); (e) filtering the suspension with a filterpress, thereby forming a filter cake and a supernatant; (f) extractingFactor H from the filter cake with a Factor H extraction buffer; (g)performing at least one viral inactivation or removal step; and (h)optionally lyophilizing the composition, thereby preparing an aqueouscomposition of Factor H.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is extracted from the filter cake byre-circulation of an extraction buffer through a filter press containingthe filter cake. Generally, the extraction buffer will be re-circulatedthrough the filter cake for at or about between 5 minutes and 2 hours.In a preferred embodiment, the extraction buffer will be re-circulatedthrough the filter cake for at or about between 10 and 60 minutes. In amore preferred embodiment, the extraction buffer will be re-circulatedthrough the filter cake for at or about between 20 and 40 minutes. Inanother preferred embodiment, the extraction buffer will bere-circulated through the filter cake for at or about 30 minutes. Inother embodiments, the extraction buffer will be re-circulated throughthe filter cake for at least at or about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, ormore minutes.

In another embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of Factor H areprovided that are prepared from a Fraction I precipitate. In oneembodiment, an aqueous composition of Factor H is provided that isprepared by a method comprising the steps of: (i) extracting Factor Hfrom a Fraction I precipitate, (ii) optionally performing a firstprecipitation step to precipitate at least one impurity from the FactorH composition, (iii) optionally performing a second precipitation stepto precipitate Factor H from the composition, (iv) optionally performingat least one ion exchange chromatography step, (v) optionally performingat least one heparin affinity chromatography step; (vi) performing atleast one viral inactivation or removal step; and (vii) optionallylyophilizing the Factor H composition, thereby preparing apharmaceutical Factor H composition.

In a preferred embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of Factor H areprovided that are prepared from a Fraction I precipitate. In aparticularly preferred embodiment, a Factor H composition is providedthat is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) precipitatingproteins from a cryo-poor plasma fraction, in a first precipitationstep, with between about 6% and about 10% alcohol at a pH of betweenabout 7.0 and about 7.5 to obtain a first precipitate and a firstsupernatant; and (b) extracting Factor H from the precipitate with aFactor H extraction buffer; and (c) performing at least one viralinactivation or removal step, thereby preparing a pharmaceuticalcomposition of Factor H.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is extracted from the Fraction Iprecipitate by re-circulation of an extraction buffer through a filterpress containing the Fraction I precipitate. Generally, the extractionbuffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for at or aboutbetween 5 minutes and 2 hours. In a preferred embodiment, the extractionbuffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for at or aboutbetween 10 and 60 minutes. In another preferred embodiment, theextraction buffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for ator about between 20 and 40 minutes. In another preferred embodiment, theextraction buffer will be re-circulated through the precipitate for ator about 30 minutes. In other embodiments, the extraction buffer will bere-circulated through the precipitate for at least at or about 5, 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100,105, 110, 115, 120, or more minutes.

In certain embodiments, Factor H is extracted from a Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake by the addition of a Factor Hextraction buffer, which can be used to re-suspend the Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake at a typical ratio of 1 partprecipitate to at or about between 25 and 30 parts of extraction buffer.In other embodiments, the re-suspension ratio is at or about between 1:4and 1:40, or at or about between 1:8 and 1:30, or at or about between1:10 and 1:20, or at or about between 1:12 and 1:18, or at or aboutbetween 1:13 and 1:17, or at or about between 1:14 and 1:16. In oneembodiment, the re-suspension ratio is at or about 1:25. In anotherembodiment, the re-suspension ratio is at or about 1:30. In certainembodiments, the ratio may be at or about 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9,1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21,1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, 1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:33,1:34, 1:35, 1:36, 1:37, 1:38, 1:39, 1:40, or higher. Ina preferredembodiment, Factor H is extracted by re-circulation of the extractionbuffer through a filter or filter press containing the Fraction Iprecipitate or Fraction II+III filter cake.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of Factor H isprovided, wherein the Factor H composition is prepared using apurification method described herein, wherein the method comprises theaddition of one or more solutions that would otherwise be introducedinto a plasma fraction by fluent addition, by a method that finelydisperses or that rapidly disperses the solution at the point ofaddition. For example, in certain embodiments the method will comprisethe introduction of alcohol (e.g., ethanol) into a plasma fraction byspraying. In other embodiments, solutions that may be added to a plasmafraction by spraying include, without limitation, a pH modifyingsolution, a solvent solution, a detergent solution, a dilution buffer, aconductivity modifying solution, and the like. In a preferredembodiment, one or more alcohol precipitation steps is performed by theaddition of alcohol to a plasma fraction by spraying. In a secondpreferred embodiment, one or more pH adjustment steps is performed bythe addition of a pH modifying solution to a plasma fraction byspraying.

In certain embodiments, an aqueous Factor H composition is provided thatis prepared by a purification method described herein, wherein themethod comprises adjusting the pH of a plasma fraction beingprecipitated after and/or concomitant with the addition of theprecipitating agent (e.g., alcohol or polyethylene glycol). In someembodiments, a process improvement is provided in which the pH of aplasma fraction being actively precipitated is maintained throughout theentire precipitation incubation or hold step by continuous monitoringand adjustment of the pH. In preferred embodiments the adjustment of thepH is performed by the spray addition of a pH modifying solution.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides pharmaceutical FactorH compositions comprising a protein concentration of between about 10g/L and about 250 g/L. In certain embodiments, the protein concentrationof the Factor H composition is at or about between 50 g/L and 200 g/L,or at or about between 70 g/L and 150 g/L, or at or about between 90 g/Land 120 g/L, or at or about between 30 g/L and 70 g/L, or at or aboutbetween 40 g/L and 60 g/L or any suitable concentration within theseranges, for example at or about 10 g/L, or at or about 15 g/L, 20 g/L,25 g/L, 30 g/L, 35 g/L, 40 g/L, 45 g/L, 50 g/L, 55 g/L, 60 g/L, 65 g/L,70 g/L, 75 g/L, 80 g/L, 85 g/L, 90 g/L, 95 g/L, 100 g/L, 105 g/L, 110g/L, 115 g/L, 120 g/L, 125 g/L, 130 g/L, 135 g/L, 140 g/L, 145 g/L, 150g/L, 155 g/L, 160 g/L, 165 g/L, 170 g/L, 175 g/L, 180 g/L, 185 g/L, 190g/L, 195 g/L, 200 g/L, 205 g/L, 210 g/L, 215 g/L, 220 g/L, 225 g/L, 230g/L, 235 g/L, 240 g/L, 245 g/L, 250 g/L, or higher. In a preferredembodiment, Factor H compositions having high protein concentrationswill also high levels of purity. In one embodiment, at least 90% of theprotein in the composition will be Factor H. In a preferred embodiment,at least 95% of the protein in the composition will be Factor H.

In one embodiment, at least 90% of the total protein in a compositionprovided herein will be Factor H. In a preferred embodiment, at least95% of the total protein in a composition provided herein will be FactorH. In other embodiments, at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%,97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or more of the total protein of the compositionwill be Factor H. In one preferred embodiment, at least 96% of the totalprotein of the composition will be Factor H. In a preferred embodiment,at least 97% of the total protein of the composition will be Factor H.In another preferred embodiment, at least 98% of the total protein ofthe composition will be Factor H. In another preferred embodiment, atleast 99% of the total protein of the composition will be Factor H.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalpreparation comprising as active ingredient a preparation of Factor H asprovided herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In oneembodiment, the Factor H preparation is prepared by a method comprising(a) performing Cohn fractionation to obtain Fraction II+III precipitateand preparing a suspension of the combined precipitates, (b) filteringthe re-suspended Fraction II+III precipitates to obtain the filter cakediscard left behind after filtration of the Fraction II+III suspension;(c) extracting the filter cake according to a method comprising thesteps of: (i) dissolving the filter cake in a suitable buffer ofappropriate ionic strength for a time sufficient to dissolve the proteincaked on said filter cake; (ii) diluting said dissolved protein withadditional buffer, (iii) removing debris from the diluted protein, (iv)purifying Factor H protein from said diluted protein preparation bysubjecting the diluted protein to ultrafiltration on a 0.45 μm filter toproduce a filtrate containing Factor H; (v) subjecting the filtratecontaining Factor H to anion exchange chromatography using a NaClgradient (50-500 mM) in the running buffer to produce a pooled crudeFactor H fraction; and (vi) purifying Factor H from said crude Factor Hpreparation by Heparin Sepharose™ chromatography using a gradient ofNaCl (50-500 mM).

The pharmaceutical compositions provided herein will typically compriseone or more buffering agents or pH stabilizing agents suitable forintravenous, intravitreal, subcutaneous, and/or intramuscularadministration. Non-limiting examples of buffering agents suitable forformulating a Factor H composition provided herein include glycine,histidine, or other amino acids, salts like citrate, phosphate, acetate,glutamate, tartrate, benzoate, lactate, gluconate, malate, succinate,formate, propionate, carbonate, or any combination thereof adjusted toan appropriate pH. Generally, the buffering agent will be sufficient tomaintain a suitable pH in the formulation for an extended period oftime.

In some embodiments, the concentration of buffering agent in theformulation will be at or about between 5 mM and 500 mM. In certainembodiments, the concentration of the buffering agent in the formulationwill be at or about 5 mM, 10 mM, 15 mM, 20 mM, 25 mM, 50 mM, 75 mM, 100mM, 125 mM, 150 mM, 175 mM, 200 mM, 225 mM, 250 mM, 275 mM, 300 mM, 325mM, 350 mM, 375 mM, 400 mM, 425 mM, 450 mM, 475 mM, 500 mM or higher.

In certain embodiments, the pH of the formulation will be at or aboutbetween about pH 4.0 and pH 8.0.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein mayoptionally further comprise an agent for adjusting the osmolarity of thecomposition. Non-limiting examples of osmolarity agents includemannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, sucrose, glucose, dextrose, levulose,fructose, lactose, polyethylene glycols, phosphates, sodium chloride,potassium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium gluconoglucoheptonate,dimethyl sulfone, and the like.

In some embodiments, the formulations provided herein will haveosmolarities that are comparable to physiologic osmolarity, about 285 to295 mOsmol/kg (Lacy et al., Drug Information Handbook—Lexi-Comp1999:1254). In certain embodiments, the osmolarity of the formulationwill be at or about between 200 and 350 mOsmol/kg, preferably at orabout between 240 and 300 mOsmol/kg. In particular embodiments, theosmolarity of the formulation will be at or about 200 mOsmol/kg, or 210mOsmol/kg, 220 mOsmol/kg, 230 mOsmol/kg, 240 mOsmol/kg, 245 mOsmol/kg,250 mOsmol/kg, 255 mOsmol/kg, 260 mOsmol/kg, 265 mOsmol/kg, 270mOsmol/kg, 275 mOsmol/kg, 280 mOsmol/kg, 285 mOsmol/kg, 290 mOsmol/kg,295 mOsmol/kg, 300 mOsmol/kg, 310 mOsmol/kg, 320 mOsmol/kg, 330mOsmol/kg, 340 mOsmol/kg, 340 mOsmol/kg, or 350 mOsmol/kg. In yet otherembodiments, the osmolarity of the formulation will be higher, forexample at or about between 200 and 1000 mOsmol/kg, or at or about 400mOsmol/kg, 450 mOsmol/kg, 500 mOsmol/kg, 550 mOsmol/kg, 600 mOsmol/kg,650 mOsmol/kg, 700 mOsmol/kg, 750 mOsmol/kg, 800 mOsmol/kg, 850mOsmol/kg, 900 mOsmol/kg, 950 mOsmol/kg, 1000 mOsmol/kg, or higher.

The Factor H formulations provided herein are generally stable in liquidform for an extended period of time. In certain embodiments, theformulations are stable for at least at or about 3 months at roomtemperature, or at least at or about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48months or more at room temperature. The formulation will also generallybe stable for at least at or about 18 months under refrigeratedconditions (typically between about 2° C. and about 8° C.), or for atleast at or about 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60months or more under refrigerated conditions.

In other embodiments, the Factor H formulations provided herein aregenerally stable in lyophilized form for an extended period of time. Incertain embodiments, the formulations are stable for at least at orabout 3 months at room temperature, or at least at or about 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43,44, 45, 46, 47, or 48 months at room temperature. The formulation willalso generally be stable for at least at or about 18 months underrefrigerated conditions (typically between about 2° C. and about 8° C.),or for at least at or about 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51,54, 57, or 60 months under refrigerated conditions.

In one aspect, the present invention is also directed to compositionscontaining Factor H purified according to the present invention and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier for systemic or local ocularadministration is administered to a mammal in need thereof. Thecompositions may further comprise additional therapeutic compounds thatmay be useful in the treatment of AMD, such as for example VEGFinhibitors, complement factor D inhibitor, such as BCX-1470 and thelike. The therapeutic compositions are formulated in accordance withmethods known in the art for the particular route of administrationdesired.

According to the methods of the present invention, a compositioncomprising a Factor H purified according to the methods described hereinand a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for systemic or localadministration is administered to a mammal in need thereof.

The compositions administered according to the present inventioncomprise a pharmaceutically effective amount, or therapeuticallyeffective amount, of Factor H either alone or in combination withanother therapeutic agent. As used herein, a “pharmaceutically effectiveamount” or “therapeutically effective amount” is an amount of activeagent that is sufficient to reduce complement activation and limit theprogression of pathology in various settings such as AMD, HUS, MPGN andothers. In some aspects, the therapeutically effective amount is reducesor prevents AMD and/or loss of visual acuity associated with AMD.Generally, for compositions intended to be administered systemically forthe treatment of AMD, the total amount of Factor H will be about0.01-100 mg/kg. For local administration, the preferred concentration ofFactor H in the composition will be from about 0.01% to about 10% (w/v).

V. Methods of Treatment

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating adisease or disorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction or abnormalalternative pathway complement activity in a subject in need thereof byadministering a therapeutically effective dose of a Factor H compositionprepared from materials otherwise discarded during the preparation ofother commercially important blood products by plasma fractionation.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating a disease ordisorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction or abnormal alternativepathway complement activity in a subject in need thereof byadministering a therapeutically effective dose of a Factor H compositionprepared from a Fraction II+III filter cake or a Fraction I precipitate.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating a disease ordisorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction or abnormal alternativepathway complement activity in a subject in need thereof byadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of aFactor H composition prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (i)extracting Factor H from a Fraction II+III filter cake, (ii) optionallyperforming a first precipitation step to precipitate at least oneimpurity from the Factor H composition, (iii) optionally performing asecond precipitation step to precipitate Factor H from the composition,(iv) optionally performing at least one ion exchange chromatographystep, (v) optionally performing at least one heparin affinitychromatography step; (vi) performing at least one viral inactivation orremoval step; and (vii) optionally lyophilizing the Factor Hcomposition, thereby preparing a composition of Factor H suitable foruse in treating a disease or disorder associated with a Factor Hdysfunction or abnormal alternative pathway complement activity.

In a preferred embodiment, a method is provided for treating a diseaseor disorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction or abnormalalternative pathway complement activity in a subject in need thereof byadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of aFactor H composition prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a)precipitating proteins from a cryo-poor plasma fraction, in a firstprecipitation step, with between about 6% and about 10% alcohol at a pHof between about 7.0 and about 7.5 to obtain a first precipitate and afirst supernatant; (b) precipitating Factor H from the firstsupernatant, in a second precipitation step, with between about 20% andabout 25% alcohol at a pH of between about 6.7 and about 7.3 to form asecond precipitate; (c) re-suspending the second precipitate to form asuspension; (d) mixing finely divided silicon dioxide (SiO₂) with thesuspension from step (c); (e) filtering the suspension with a filterpress, thereby forming a filter cake and a supernatant; and (f)extracting Factor H from the filter cake with a Factor H extractionbuffer; (g) performing at least one viral inactivation or removal step;and (h) optionally lyophilizing the composition, thereby preparing acomposition of Factor H suitable for use in treating a disease ordisorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction or abnormal alternativepathway complement activity.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for treating a disease ordisorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction or abnormal alternativepathway complement activity in a subject in need thereof byadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of aFactor H composition prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (i)extracting Factor H from a Fraction I precipitate, (ii) optionallyperforming a first precipitation step to precipitate at least oneimpurity from the Factor H composition, (iii) optionally performing asecond precipitation step to precipitate Factor H from the composition,(iv) optionally performing at least one ion exchange chromatographystep, (v) optionally performing at least one heparin affinitychromatography step; (vi) performing at least one viral inactivation orremoval step; and (vii) optionally lyophilizing the Factor Hcomposition, thereby preparing a composition of Factor H suitable foruse in treating a disease or disorder associated with a Factor Hdysfunction or abnormal alternative pathway complement activity.

In a preferred embodiment, a method is provided for treating a diseaseor disorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction or abnormalalternative pathway complement activity in a subject in need thereof byadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of aFactor H composition prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a)precipitating proteins from a cryo-poor plasma fraction, in a firstprecipitation step, with between about 6% and about 10% alcohol at a pHof between about 7.0 and about 7.5 to obtain a first precipitate and afirst supernatant; (b) extracting Factor H from the precipitate with aFactor H extraction buffer, (c) performing at least one viralinactivation or removal step; and (d) optionally lyophilizing thecomposition, thereby preparing a composition of Factor H suitable foruse in treating a disease or disorder associated with a Factor Hdysfunction or abnormal alternative pathway complement activity.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a therapeuticallyeffective dose of a Factor H composition prepared by a method disclosedherein for use in a method for treating a disease associated with FactorH dysfunction in a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, theFactor H composition is prepared by extracting Factor H from a FractionI precipitate. In another embodiment, the Factor H composition isprepared by extracting Factor H from a Fraction II+III filter cake. Incertain embodiments, a method is provided for treating a disease ordisorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction in a subject in needthereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective doseof a Factor H composition provided herein. In certain embodiments, thedisease or disorder associated with a Factor H dysfunction is selectedfrom atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), age-related maculardegeneration (AMD), membranoproliferative glomulonephritis type II(MPGNII), myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease/coronary arterydisease (CAD/CHD), and Alzheimer's disease. In one particularembodiment, the disease is atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).In another particular embodiment, the disease is age-related maculardegeneration (AMD). In yet another particular embodiment, the disease ismembranoproliferative glomulonephritis type II (MPGNII).

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a therapeuticallyeffective dose of a Factor H composition prepared by a method disclosedherein for use in a method for treating a disease associated withabnormal alternative pathway complement activity in a subject in needthereof. In one embodiment, the Factor H composition is prepared byextracting Factor H from a Fraction I precipitate. In anotherembodiment, the Factor H composition is prepared by extracting Factor Hfrom a Fraction II+III filter cake. In certain embodiments, a method isprovided for treating a disease or disorder associated with a abnormalalternative pathway complement activity in a subject in need thereof byadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of aFactor H composition provided herein. In certain embodiments, thedisease or disorder associated with abnormal alternative pathwaycomplement activity is selected from an autoimmune disease (such asrheumatoid arthritis, IgA nephropathy, asthma, systemic lupuserythematosus, multiple sclerosis, Anti-Phospholipid syndrome,ANCA-associated vasculitis, pemphigus, uveitis, myathemia gravis,Hashimoto's thyroiditis), a renal disease (such as IgA nephropathy,hemolytic uremic syndrome, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis)asthma, Alzheimer disease, adult macular degeneration, proximalnocturnal hemoglobinuria, abdominal aortic aneurism, ischemiareperfusion injury, and sepsis.

The pharmaceutical compositions provided by the invention may beadministered alone or in conjunction with other therapeutic agents.These agents may be incorporated as part of the same pharmaceutical.

A. Administration

In accordance with the present invention, the time needed to complete acourse of the treatment can be determined by a physician and may rangefrom as short as one day to more than a month. In certain embodiments, acourse of treatment can be from 1 to 6 months.

An effective amount of a Factor H preparation is administered to thesubject by any suitable means to treat the disease or disorder. Forexample, in certain embodiments, Factor H may be administered byintravenous, intraocular, subcutaneous, and/or intramuscular means. In apreferred embodiment, a method for treating age-related maculardegeneration in a subject in need thereof is provided comprising theintraocular administration of a Factor H composition to the patient.

In certain embodiments, the Factor H compositions provided herein can beadministered either systemically or locally. Systemic administrationincludes: oral, transdermal, subdermal, intraperitioneal, subcutaneous,transnasal, sublingual, or rectal. The most preferred systemic route ofadministration is oral. Local administration for ocular administrationincludes: topical, intravitreal, periocular, transcleral, retrobulbar,juxtascleral, sub-tenon, or via an intraocular device. Preferred methodsfor local delivery include transscleral delivery to the macula byposterior juxtascleral administration; via intravitreal injection; orvia cannula, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,245, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entiretyfor all purposes. Alternatively, the inhibitors may be delivered via asustained delivery device implanted intravitreally or transsclerally, orby other known means of local ocular delivery.

In certain embodiments, the term “effective amount” refers to an amountof a Factor H preparation that results in an improvement or remediationof disease or condition in the subject. An effective amount to beadministered to the subject can be determined by a physician withconsideration of individual differences in age, weight, the disease orcondition being treated, disease severity and response to the therapy.In certain embodiments, an Factor H preparation can be administered to asubject at dose of at or about between 5 mg/kilogram and 2000mg/kilogram per administration. In certain embodiments, the dose may beat least at or about 5 mg/kg, or at least at or about 10 mg/kg, or atleast at or about 20 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, 70mg/kg, 80 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 175 mg/kg,200 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 350 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 450 mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 550 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, 650 mg/kg, 700 mg/kg, 750 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg,850 mg/kg, 900 mg/kg, 950 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, 1100 mg/kg, 1200 mg/kg,1300 mg/kg, 1400 mg/kg, 1500 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg, 1700 mg/kg, 1800 mg/kg,1900 mg/kg, or 2000 mg/kg. The dosage and frequency of Factor Htreatment will depend upon, among other factors, the disease orcondition being treated and the severity of the disease or condition inthe patient.

B. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method oftreating age-related macular degeneration in a subject in need thereofby administering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of aFactor H composition provided herein.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the number one cause ofblindness for the elderly population over 60 years of age. Today, it isestimated that 35-40% of those over 75 years of age have some degree ofAMD. It has been estimated that approximately 50 million people areaffected world-wide, with 10 million in the US alone. Currently, about155,000 new diagnoses of AMD are made every year. As the worldwidepopulation continues to age, the number of annual diagnoses are expectedto triple by the year 2020. It is a devastating disease that destroyscentral vision in the affected individuals, robbing them of theirability to perform activities necessary for everyday life such asreading and driving.

AMD is a slow, progressive disease that involves cells of the outerretinal layers (including photoreceptors and the retinal pigmentepithelial (RPE) cells that support the photoreceptors), as well ascells in the adjacent vascular layer of the eye known as the choroid.Macular degeneration is characterized by the breakdown of the macula, asmall portion of the central retina (about 2 mm in diameter) responsiblefor high-acuity vision. Late-onset macular degeneration (i.e., AMD) isgenerally defined as either “dry” or “wet.” The wet (“exudative”)neovascular form of AMD affects approximately 10% of those with thedisease, and is characterized by abnormal blood vessels growing from thechoriocapillaris through the RPE, typically resulting in hemorrhage,exudation, scarring, and/or serous retinal detachment. Approximately 90%of patients with AMD have the non-neovascular, or dry form of thedisease, which is characterized by atrophy of the RPE and loss ofmacular photoreceptors.

AMD is characterized by the presence of deposits of debris-likematerial, termed “drusen,” that accumulate on Bruch's membrane, amultilayered composite of extracellular matrix components separating theRPE (the outermost layer of the retina) from the underlying choroid.Drusen can be observed by funduscopic eye examination. These depositshave been extensively characterized in microscopic studies of donor eyesfrom patients with AMD. The deposits observed in the living eye uponclinical examination are classified as either soft drusen or harddrusen, according to several criteria including relative size,abundance, and shape of the deposits. Histochemical andimmunocytochemical studies have shown that drusen contain a variety oflipids, polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans and proteins.

Presently, there no known cure for AMD, although several types oftreatments has been shown to be effective at managing the disease. Laserphotocoagulation of abnormal vessels in the wet form of the disease isthe standard treatment. This treatment is limited by the fact that onlywell-delineated neovascular lesions can be treated in this way and that50% of patients will suffer recurrence of the leakage from the vessels(Fine et al., 2000). Because of the energy of the laser required forthis treatment, the photoreceptors in the treated area will also die,and the patient will also often suffer central blindness immediatelyafter the treatment. New neovascular lesions will eventually develop,requiring repeated treatments. Other interventions include changinglifestyles by cessation of smoking and beginning therapy withantioxidants. Antiangiogenic treatments using VEGF inhibitors e.g.,intravitrial injection of ranibizumab or bevacizumab also have beensuggested.

Recently it was discovered that about 35% of individuals carry at anat-risk single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in one or both copies oftheir Factor H gene. Homozygous individuals have an approximatelysevenfold increased chance of developing age-related maculardegeneration, while heterozygotes have a two-to-threefold increasedlikelihood of developing the disease. This SNP, located in CCP module 7of Factor H, has been shown to affect the interactions between Factor Hand both C-reactive protein and heparin indicating a causal relationshipbetween the SNP and disease. The polymorphism is a Y420H polymorphism.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for limitingcomplement activation resulting in delayed progression or onset of thedevelopment of age related macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject,comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of Factor Hpreparation provided herein. In one embodiment, the Factor H preparationis prepared by a method comprising (a) performing Cohn fractionation toobtain Fraction II+III precipitates and preparing a suspension of thecombined precipitates, (b) filtering the re-suspended Fraction II+IIIprecipitates to obtain the filter cake discard left behind afterfiltration of the Fraction II+III suspension; (c) extracting the filtercake according to a method comprising the steps of: (i) dissolving thefilter cake in a suitable buffer of appropriate ionic strength for atime sufficient to dissolve the protein caked on said filter cake; (ii)diluting said dissolved protein with additional buffer, (iii) removingdebris from the diluted protein, (iv) purifying Factor H protein fromsaid diluted protein preparation by subjecting the diluted protein toultrafiltration on a 0.45 μm filter to produce a filtrate containingFactor H; (v) subjecting the filtrate containing Factor H to anionexchange chromatography using a NaCl gradient (50-500 mM) in the runningbuffer to produce a pooled crude Factor H fraction; and (vi) purifyingFactor H from said crude Factor H preparation by Heparin Sepharose™chromatography using a gradient of NaCl (50-500 mM).

In one embodiment of a method for limiting complement activationresulting in delayed progression or onset of the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, the subject does nothave any symptoms of AMD.

In another embodiment of a method for limiting complement activationresulting in delayed progression or onset of the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, the subject has drusen.

In another embodiment of a method for limiting complement activationresulting in delayed progression or onset of the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, the subject is atincreased risk of developing AMD.

In another embodiment of a method for limiting complement activationresulting in delayed progression or onset of the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, the administration isintravenous.

In another embodiment of a method for limiting complement activationresulting in delayed progression or onset of the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, the method furthercomprises treating a subject having signs and/or symptoms of AMD.

In another embodiment of a method for limiting complement activationresulting in delayed progression or onset of the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, the subject has beendiagnosed with AMD.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating ahuman subject judged to be at risk for the development of age relatedmacular degeneration, comprising the step of administering to thesubject a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of aFactor H preparation provided herein, and periodically repeating saidadministration. In one embodiment, the Factor H preparation is preparedby a method comprising (a) performing Cohn fractionation to obtainFraction II+III precipitates and preparing a suspension of the combinedprecipitates, (b) filtering the re-suspended Fraction II+IIIprecipitates to obtain the filter cake discard left behind afterfiltration of the Fraction II+III suspension; (c) extracting the filtercake according to a method comprising the steps of: (i) dissolving thefilter cake in a suitable buffer of appropriate ionic strength for atime sufficient to dissolve the protein caked on said filter cake; (ii)diluting said dissolved protein with additional buffer, (iii) removingdebris from the diluted protein, (iv) purifying Factor H protein fromsaid diluted protein preparation by subjecting the diluted protein toultrafiltration on a 0.45 μm an filter to produce a filtrate containingFactor H; (v) subjecting the filtrate containing Factor H to anionexchange chromatography using a NaCl gradient (50-500 mM) in the runningbuffer to produce a pooled crude Factor H fraction; and (vi) purifyingFactor H from said crude Factor H preparation by Heparin Sepharose™chromatography using a gradient of NaCl (50-500 mM).

In one embodiment of a method of treating a human subject judged to beat risk for the development of age related macular degeneration, theadministration is repeated for a time effective to delay the progressionor onset of the development of macular degeneration in said subject.

In another embodiment of a method of treating a human subject judged tobe at risk for the development of age related macular degeneration, thehuman subject is judged to be at risk for the development of age-relatedmacular degeneration as identified based on the presence of one or moregenetic markers associated with development of age-related maculardegeneration.

In another embodiment of a method of treating a human subject judged tobe at risk for the development of age related macular degeneration, thegenetic marker is a polymorphism.

In another embodiment of a method for limiting complement activationresulting in delayed progression or onset of the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, the subject is notdiagnosed with AMD.

VI. Examples

The following examples are provided by way of illustration only and notby way of limitation. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize avariety of non-critical parameters that could be changed or modified toyield essentially the same or similar results.

Example 1

To determine an economically beneficial scheme for the manufacture ofFactor H from a plasma sample, which allows for the recovery ofadditional blood factors from the same plasma sample, a 3000 L lot ofpooled human plasma was subjected to industrial fractionation accordingto the scheme outlined in the flow-diagram shown in FIG. 1. The fate ofFactor H in the industrial fractionation process was followed by ELISAusing an antibody specific for the full-length variant of Factor H. Theamount of Factor H determined to be in each fraction is provided inTable 1 and is summarized graphically in FIG. 4.

TABLE 1 Relative amounts of Factor H found in each of the majorfractions of an industrial scale plasma fractionation. Liquid SolidProtein Factor H Ppt % Protein Total Factor H Fraction L kg mg/mL μg/mL% of Total wt/wt Correction* kg Cohn Pool 3210 50.1 663.3 1.323 2.13Fraction I Sup 3480 45.2 592.9 1.312 2.06 Fraction I Ppt 41.1 4.1 107.72.602 0.17 0.18 Fraction II + III Sup 3880 0.004 Fraction II + III Ppt124.5 21.2 689 3.257 0.43 1.74 Filtrate (post Aerosil ®) 2340 0.02 Ppt G58.6 0.053 Ppt G Sup 3140 0.008 Fraction IV-1 Sup 3800 0.001 FractionIV-1 Ppt 76.8 0.031 Fraction IV-4 Sup 5990 0 Fraction IV-4 Ppt 0 Crude VPpt 229.4 0.002 *Determined by freeze drying

As seen in Table 1, the 3210L Cohn pool of pooled human plasma usedcontained about 2.13 kg of Factor H, as determined by an ELISA assay.The majority of Factor H is present in the Fraction II+III precipitate(1.74 kg), however, insignificant amount are found in the clarifiedFraction II+III filtrate, i.e., post precipitate dissolution andAerosil® treatment. This result suggests that a large portion of theFactor H present in the Cohn pool starting material is captured in theFraction II+III filter cake. A second significant fraction of Factor H(180 g) is also captured in the Fraction I precipitate, as seen in Table1.

Example 2

The present example describes experiments performed to determine thefeasibility of extracting Factor H from a Fraction II+III filter cake.Briefly, the Fraction II+III filter cake from the plasma fractionationperformed in Example 1 was dissolved in a Factor H extraction buffer (25mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; 200 mM NaCl) at a ratio of 25:1 (mL bufferper g filter cake). The conductivity of the resulting suspension wasthen adjusted by diluting the solution 3:1 with low salt extractionbuffer (25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA). Un-dissolved material wascleared from the suspension by centrifugation followed by filtrationthrough a 0.45 μm filter.

The clarified filter cake suspension was then loaded onto a DEAESepharose™ chromatograph column equilibrated with a low salt buffer (25mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; 50 mM NaCl). A linear gradient from 50 mMNaCl to 500 mM NaCl (25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; NaCl) was then usedto elute the Factor H from the DEAE Sepharose™ column, the eluate ofwhich was collected fractionally as shown by the chromatograph in FIG.2A. Samples of the eluate fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE andWestern blot analysis (FIG. 2C) to determine that Factor H eluted off ofthe anion exchange column in the first of three major peaks.

The first elution peak from the DEAE Sepharose™ chromatography elution,containing primarily Factor H, was pooled based on the chromatograph andgel analysis performed, concentrated, and the conductivity was reduced.The Factor H solution was then loaded onto a Heparin Sepharose™chromatography column equilibrated with a low salt buffer (25 mM Tris(pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; 50 mM NaCl). A linear gradient from 50 mM NaCl to500 mM NaCl (25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; NaCl) was then used toelute the Factor H from the DEAE Sepharose™ column, the eluate of whichwas collected fractionally as shown by the chromatograph in FIG. 2B.Samples of the eluate fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Westernblot analysis. As can be seen in FIG. 2B, Factor H eluted from theHeparin Sepharose™ column in a single peak, which provides a pure FactorH composition (FIG. 2D).

Example 3

The present example describes experiments performed to determine thefeasibility of extracting Factor H from a Fraction I precipitate.Briefly, the Fraction I precipitate from the plasma fractionationperformed in Example 1 was dissolved in a Factor H extraction buffer (25mM Tris; 5 mM EDTA; 200 mM NaCl; pH 8.0) at a ratio of 25:1 (mL bufferper g filter cake). The conductivity of the resulting suspension wasthen adjusted by diluting the solution 3:1 with low salt extractionbuffer (25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA). Un-dissolved material wascleared from the suspension by centrifugation followed by filtrationthrough a 0.45 μm an filter.

The clarified Fraction I precipitate suspension was then loaded onto aDEAE Sepharose™ chromatograph column equilibrated with a low salt buffer(25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; 50 mM NaCl). A linear gradient from 50mM NaCl to 500 mM NaCl (25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; NaCl) was thenused to elute the Factor H from the DEAE Sepharose™ column, the eluateof which was collected fractionally.

The Factor H peak from the DEAE Sepharose™ chromatography elution waspooled, concentrated, and the conductivity was reduced by bufferexchange. The Factor H solution was then loaded onto a HeparinSepharose™ chromatography column equilibrated with a low salt buffer (25mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; 50 mM NaCl). A linear gradient from 50 mMNaCl to 500 mM NaCl (25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; NaCl) was then usedto elute the Factor H from the Heparin Sepharose™ column, the eluate ofwhich was collected fractionally. Factor H containing fractions werethen pooled and the final composition was analyzed by SDS-PAGE analysis(FIG. 3).

Example 4

The purity and activity of Factor H prepared from the Fraction Iprecipitate (Example 3) and Fraction II+III filter cake (Example 2)fractions from the plasma fractionation performed in example 1 wasinvestigated. As can be seen from FIG. 3, Factor H prepared from theFraction I precipitate (lane 4) and Fraction II+III filter cake (lane 6)was at least as pure as a commercial preparation of Factor H (CompTech;lane 2).

The activity of the purified Factor H compositions was assessed via twomethods. First, a Factor I cofactor activity was examined. C3b andFactor I used in the assay were obtained commercially from CompTech.Briefly, C3b was combined with Factor I and various concentrations ofFactor H derived from either a commercial source (CompTech; ♦), purifiedfrom Fraction I precipitate (Example 3; ▴) or purified from FractionII+III filter cake (Example 2; ▪). The reactions were incubated at 37°C., denatured in Laemmli sample buffer and resolved via SDS-PAGE. Theintensities of the α40 fragment of C3b were quantified via densitometryand the resulting activity curves are shown in FIG. 6. As shown, theactivity of the purified Factor H, both derived from Fraction Iprecipitate and from Fraction II+III filter cake, is comparable to acommercial preparation of Factor H. In this regard, the Factor Hpreparations from Example 2 and 3 appear to have similar specificactivities as the commercial Factor H preparation.

To further characterize the activity of the purified Factor Hcompositions, a second activity assay was employed to determine the C3(▪) and C5 (♦) convertase inhibition activity of the preparation.Briefly, an alternative pathway stimulator (Sepharose 4B) was incubatedwith heparnized plasma spiked with increasing amounts of the Factor Hcomposition purified from Fraction II+III filter cake (Example 2). Afterincubation, complement was quenched with EDTA and the levels of C3a andC5a were determined via ELISA. As shown in FIG. 5, the Fraction II+IIIfilter cake Factor H preparation demonstrates inhibitory activityagainst C3a and C5a conversion.

The experimental results provided above in examples 1 to 4 demonstratethat Factor H can be purified from both Fraction I precipitate andFraction II+III filter cake to yield Factor H compositions having purityand enzymatic activities comparable to currently available commercialpreparations (CompTech).

Example 5

Since the Factor H was purified from a large plasma pool, thispreparation contains many variants (isoforms) that contribute to theoverall activity. An unanticipated finding relates to the percent ofHis-402 variant in the final preparation of Factor H purified from aFraction II+III filter cake, which was determined to be approximately50% via LC-MS (Table 2). The incidence of the His-402 FH isoform in thegeneral population has been reported to range from 7% to 34% (Grassi etal. Human Mutation (2006) 27:921-925), suggesting that the method usedabove in examples 1 to 3, for preparing Factor H compositions, yields adistinct population of Factor H variants. It was also observed thatFactor H, purified in the manner described above, eluted as twosequential peaks (FIG. 2). These two peaks appeared to have differencesin their affinity for heparin (due to the difference in their elutiontime in the linear salt gradient) but a somewhat similar distribution ofH403 versus Y402 variants (as shown in Table 2).

TABLE 2 Relative amounts of H402 and Y402 Factor H variants found in acommercial preparation (CompTech) and the Fraction II + III filter cakepurification of example 2. Commercial Preparation Factor-H (peak 1)Factor-H (peak 2 H402 50.0% 49.9% 52.3% Y402 50.0% 50.1% 47.7%

Example 6

In order to further explore conditions under which Factor H may beextracted from a Factor II+III filter cake, pooled human plasma sampleswere fractionated as described in Example 1. After suspension andsilicon dioxide (SiO₂) treatment of the Fraction II+III precipitate, theFraction II+III filter cake was collected in a filter press, effectivelyseparating it from the corresponding clarified Fraction II+IIIsuspension. The filter cake, still located within the filter press, wasfirst pre-rinsed with a Factor H extraction buffer outlined below untilthe pH of the rinsed solution reached 7.0 to displace residual filtrateand to fill the filter press with the appropriate extraction buffer.This is an optional operation to fully recover the filtrate which doesnot affect Factor H yield in the extract. Factor H was extracted fromthe filter cake by continuous recirculation of one of two Factor Hextraction buffers, extraction buffer A (20 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA;200 mM NaCl) or extraction buffer B (100 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.5);150 mM sodium chloride) through the filter press for one hour.

Analysis of the resulting Fraction II+III filter cake extracts revealedthat extraction with buffer A resulted in recovery of 0.39 g Factor H/Lplasma and examination of the filter cake revealed that 0.04 g FactorH/L plasma was retained in the filter cake after a one hour extraction.Similarly, extraction with buffer B resulted in recovery of 0.44 gFactor H/L plasma and examination of the filter cake revealed that 0.03g Factor H/L plasma was retained in the filter cake after a one hourextraction. Consistent with this, SDS-PAGE analysis of the extractedfraction shows that the distribution of proteins and relative amounts ofFactor H in both extractions was similar (FIG. 7; lane 1=Factor Hstandard (CompTech); lane 2=standard protein MW markers; lane 3=buffer Aextract; lane 4=buffer B extract). These results suggest that a widerange of buffers may be effective for the extraction of Factor H from aFraction II+III filter cake.

Example 7

To investigate the extraction time required for efficient recovery ofFactor H from the Fraction II+III filter cake, pooled human plasmasamples were fractionated as described in Example 1. After suspensionand silicon dioxide (SiO₂) treatment of the Fraction II+III precipitate,the Fraction II+III filter cake was collected in a filter press,effectively separating it from the corresponding clarified FractionII+III suspension. The filter cake, still located within the filterpress, was first pre-rinsed with a Factor H extraction buffer (100 mMsodium phosphate (pH 7.5); 150 mM sodium chloride) until the pH of therinsed solution reached 7.0. Factor H was then extracted from the filtercake by continuous recirculation of the Factor H extraction buffer forbetween 10 and 60 minutes. The Factor H content was then determined foreach of the extractions by ELISA analysis. As seen in FIG. 8, nosignificant difference in the amount of Factor H extracted from thefilter cakes could be seen for extraction times ranging from 10 to 60minutes. However, post-washing the filter press with one void volume ofextraction buffer resulted in an increase in the final Factor H recoveryfrom the filter cake.

Example 8

In order to reduce the volume and potentially remove impurities from theFactor H extract recovered from Fraction II+III filter cake,precipitation experiments were performed to investigate conditions thatmay be used. Briefly, polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4K) or ethanol wasadded at varying concentrations to samples of a Factor H filter cakeextract, prepared as described in Example 7, and the pH of the solutionwas adjusted to either 6.0 or 8.0 for the ethanol samples and 7.0 forthe PEG samples. The samples containing ethanol were then stirredovernight at −10° C. and the samples containing PEG were stirredovernight at 4° C. The resulting precipitates and supernatants were thenseparated and the precipitates dissolved in extraction buffer. As seenin Table 3, more protein remained in the supernatant of the 25% ethanolprecipitation than in the 12.5%, 17.5%, and 20% PEG precipitations.Consistent with this, the dissolved PEG precipitates contained moreprotein than did the ethanol precipitate, resulting in cloudiersuspensions that may require additional treatment prior to furtherpurification of Factor H by chromatographic methods.

TABLE 3 Factor H contents of precipitates and supernatants resultingfrom overnight ethanol and PEG precipitation experiments. Protein in theAppearance Protein in the Amount of Appearance of Supernatant of thePrecipitate Precipitate the Dissolved Precipitant (mg/ml) Supernatant(mg/ml) (g/g filtrate) Precipitate 12.5% PEG 1.11 mg/ml  Clear 10.0mg/ml  0.034 g/g Very Cloudy filtrate 17.5% PEG 0.5 mg/ml Clear 9.3mg/ml 0.045 g/g Very Cloudy filtrate 20% PEG 0.5 mg/ml Clear 9.0 mg/ml0.048 g/g Very Cloudy filtrate 25% Ethanol 1.5 mg/ml Cloudy 5.3 mg/ml0.070 g/g Slightly Cloudy (pH 7.0) filtrate

The Factor H content of each sample was then determined by ELISAanalysis, values for which are given in Table 4. To further analyze theresulting fractions, samples of each supernatant and dissolvedprecipitate were subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis (FIG. 9). As seen inTable 5, the majority of Factor H is present in the supernatant of the15% ethanol precipitation performed at pH 8.0, while Factor H isprecipitated with 25% ethanol at a pH of 6.0. In one embodiment, afractional precipitation scheme may be used wherein some impurities arefirst removed by precipitating the Factor H extract using 15% ethanoland then recovering the Factor H in a second precipitation using 25%ethanol.

TABLE 4 Factor H contents of precipitates and supernatants resultingfrom overnight ethanol and PEG precipitation experiments. Lane # gFactor H/ (FIG. 9) Sample L Plasma Lane 1 size marker Lane 2 Factor HStandard Lane 3 PEG 10% precipitate dissolved 0.38 Lane 4 PEG 10%supernatant Lane 5 PEG 12.5% precipitate dissolved 0.43 Lane 6 PEG 12.5%supernatant Lane 7 PEG 17.5% precipitate dissolved 0.41 Lane 8 PEG 17.5%supernatant Lane 9 PEG 20% precipitate dissolved 0.42 Lane 10 PEG 20%supernatant Lane 11 PEG 12.5% + 0.2% Tween, precipitate dissolved 0.4Lane 12 15% EtOH, pH = 8, supernatant 0.39 Lane 13 25% EtOH, pH = 6,precipitate dissolved 0.43

TABLE 5 Fate of Factor H in ethanol precipitations performed at 15%ethanol/pH 8.0 and 25% ethanol/pH 6.0. Yield % of Factor H in filtercake Recycled filter cake (filter press) 100 EtOH Precipitation 15% pH =8.0 EtOH Supernatant 89 EtOH Precipitate dissolved 7 EtOH Precipitation25% pH = 6.0 EtOH Supernatant 2 EtOH Precipitate dissolved 98

Example 9

In order to aid with the industrial scale-up for the Factor Hpurification after extraction, an alternate purification scheme wasdevised that replaces the salt gradient elution of the chromatographycolumns with a series of step elutions that are more amenable to a largescale manufacturing process. Briefly, a Factor H extraction was thenloaded onto a DEAE Sepharose™ chromatography column equilibrated with alow salt buffer (25 mM Tris; 5 mM EDTA; 65 mM NaCl; pH 8.0). Theconductivity of the load was similar to that of the equilibration buffer(about 9 mS/cm). After the load, the column was washed with buffercontaining 65 mM NaCl for 5 column volumes (CV) to remove the unboundprotein impurities. The flow-through fractions contain very littleFactor H as shown by the Western blot results in FIG. 10C.

In a first step elution, the salt concentration of the buffer (25 mMTris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; 65 mM NaCl) was increased to 100 mM NaCl(conductivity 12.6 mS/cm) for 5 CV to elute Factor H bound to thecolumn. The Factor H came off the column in a sharp peak followed by ashoulder, as seen in the chromatograph provided in FIG. 10A. Thecorresponding Coomassie stained SDS-PAGE gel (FIG. 10B) and Western blot(FIG. 10C) show the majority of the Factor H in the peak. Analysis offurther step elutions performed with buffers containing 155 mM NaCl, 230mM NaCl, and 1 M NaCl demonstrate that very little Factor H remainsbound to the DEAE Sepharose™ resin after the 100 mM NaCl elution (FIG.10). The major Factor H fractions from the 100 mM NaCl elution werepooled together.

To reduce the salt concentration of the pooled Factor H fractions, thesample was dialyzed against low salt buffer to reduce the conductivityto about 8 mS/cm (around 50 mM NaCl). The sample was then passed througha 0.45 μm filter to remove any particulates. The filtered sample wasthen loaded onto a Heparin Sepharose™ chromatography column equilibratedwith a low salt buffer (25 mM Tris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; 50 mM NaCl).After the load, the column was washed with buffer containing 50 mM NaClfor 5 column volumes (CV) to remove the unbound protein impurities. Theflow-through fractions contain very little Factor H as shown by theWestern blot results in FIG. 11C.

In a first step elution, the salt concentration of the buffer (25 mMTris (pH 8.0); 5 mM EDTA; NaCl) was increased to 98 mM NaCl to eluteFactor H from the column. SDS-PAGE (FIG. 11B) and Western blot (FIG.11C) analysis shows that the resulting Factor H pool is quite pure.There are some low molecular weight impurities that may be removed by asize exclusion polishing or equivalent step. A second elution step wasperformed with buffer containing 204 mM NaCl and another Factor H peakwas eluted off the column. This fraction did not have any detectedimpurities. Subsequent elution steps at 288 mM and 1 M NaCl did not showany additional protein peaks (FIG. 10A), indicating all Factor H elutedfrom the column at the elution steps containing 98 mM and 204 mM NaCl.This method can be modified to optimize the process. In one embodiment,all of the Factor H may be eluted in a single step, for example with asingle elution with buffer containing greater than 98 mM NaCl. The loadand wash may still be performed at 50 mM NaCl, and Factor H elution maybe done, for example, with buffer containing 204 mM NaCl. An extendedwash at 50 mM NaCl or at a salt concentration of below 98 mM NaCl may beadded after loading in an attempt to remove more weakly bound impuritiesfrom the Factor H pool.

The above chromatography steps can be modified to use buffer systemsother than Tris/EDTA at pH 8. These processes can be adapted for buffersand solutions commonly used in manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. Anexample is a purification scheme using phosphate buffer at about pH 7.5.The key parameter to successful purification is manipulation ofconductivity or ionic strength to achieve separation of the desiredcompound. If the pH of the buffer system is changed, some adjustment ofthe ionic strength will be needed which can be done with standardtechniques used in optimization of chromatographic processes.

Example 10

In order to demonstrate that plasma-derived Factor H is efficacious invivo, an experiment was performed using the ChoriodialNeovascularization (CNV) model in mice (a model of AMD in humans). HumanFH was isolated to homogeneity as described above (Example 2) and shownto have low endotoxin levels. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulationin C57/B1 male mice with an argon laser (50 um size spots, 0.05sduration, 250 mW) as described (N. S. Bora, S. Kaliappan, P. Jha, Q. Xu,B. Sivasankar, C. L. Harris, B. P. Morgan and P. S. Bora. J. Immunol.178:1783-1790 (2007)).

Two groups of 8 animals were treated, Group 1 (controls) received 2 μAintravitreal injection of PBS within 1 hour of the laser treatment whileGroup 2 (test) received 2 μl intravitreal injection of human FH within 1hour of the laser treatment. Animals were sacrificed 7 days after lasertreatment. Before sacrifice, the mice were perfused through the heartwith 0.5 mL of FITC-dextran (Sigma, molecular weight approx. 2×10⁶). Theeyes were fixed in normal buffered formalin for 2 hours at 25° C., andthe posterior part of the eyes (with the spots) were dissected andadditionally stained for elastin using immunohistochemistry. Primarygoat polyclonal Abs against elastin (C-21, SC-1751, Lot#J0505, SantaCruz) in working dilution 1:200 and secondary donkey anti goat AlexaFluor 594 conjugated Abs (Invitrogen) in working dilution 1:400 wereused.

Samples were flat mounted in ProLong antifade reagent (Invitrogen).Laser confocal microscopy was performed using LSM 510 Zeiss microscope.Single image of CNV in each laser injured area were captured and spotswith hemorrhagic changes were excluded from the investigation. The areaof CNV in μm² was measured using ImageJ program (NIH). Area of laserspots (area of interest, AOI) was manually determined and area of greenfluorescence (threshold values 33-255) in area of interest was measured.Mean value of CNV area and standard error for each group was calculatedusing EXEL program.

The results of this analysis are show below in Table 6. Treatment of themice with Factor H, following laser ablation of the back of the eye,significantly reduced the level of neovascular response measured on day7 post treatment (p=0.04).

TABLE 6 Effect of Factor H on the Size of FITC-Dextran Perfused Vesselsin Murine CNV Model Group Number of Spots Area of CNV Percent of Control1 (PBS) 47 3618 ± 561 — 2 (Factor H) 43 2298 ± 316 63.5

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein arefor illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changesin light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and areto be included within the spirit and purview of this application andscope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patentapplications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing an enriched Factor Hcomposition from plasma, the method comprising the steps of: (a)precipitating proteins from a cryo-poor plasma fraction, in a firstprecipitation step, with between about 6% and about 10% alcohol at a pHof between about 7.0 and about 7.5 to obtain a first precipitate and afirst supernatant; and (b) extracting Factor H from the precipitate witha Factor H extraction buffer, thereby preparing an enriched Factor Hcomposition.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the precipitation stepcomprises spray addition of alcohol.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinstep (a) comprises: (a)(i) admixing alcohol into the cryo-poor plasmafraction to a final concentration of from about 6% to about 10%, therebyforming a precipitation solution; and (a)(ii) admixing a pH modifyingagent into the precipitation solution to adjust the pH to between about7.0 and about 7.5.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein step (a) furthercomprises: admixing a pH modifying agent into the cryo-poor plasmafraction to adjust the pH to between about 7.0 and about 7.5 prior toadmixing the alcohol into the cryo-poor plasma fraction in step (a)(i).5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Factor H extraction buffer has apH of at least about 0.3 units different from the isoelectric point ofFactor H.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the enriched Factor Hcomposition is subjected to at least one viral inactivation and/orremoval step.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the precipitation instep (a) is performed with from 7% to 9% alcohol at a pH of from 7.1 to7.3.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alcohol is ethanol.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the alcohol is ethanol.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the extraction buffer has a pH of from 6.0 to 9.0. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein the extraction buffer has a pH of from7.0 to 8.0.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the extraction buffer hasa pH of about 8.0.
 13. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least oneviral inactivation and/or removal step comprises nanofiltration.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the nanofiltration is performed using ananofiltration device having a mean pore size of from about 19 nm toabout 35 nm.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the nanofiltration isperformed using a nanofiltration device having a mean pore size of about19 nm.
 16. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one viralinactivation and/or removal step comprises solvent and detergent (S/D)treatment.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (c) bindingthe Factor H to an anion exchange resin; and (d) eluting the Factor Hbound to the anion exchange resin with an elution buffer, therebyforming a first eluate containing Factor H.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the anion exchange resin is a diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) anionexchange resin.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e)binding the Factor H to heparin affinity resin; and (f) eluting theFactor H bound to the heparin affinity resin with an elution buffer,thereby forming a second eluate containing Factor H.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising: (e) binding the Factor H to heparinaffinity resin; and (f) eluting the Factor H bound to the heparinaffinity resin with an elution buffer, thereby forming a second eluatecontaining Factor H.
 21. The method of claim 3, wherein step (a)(i)further comprises: admixing a pH modifying agent into the cryo-poorplasma fraction to adjust the pH to between about 7.0 and about 7.5while admixing the alcohol into the cryo-poor plasma fraction.
 22. Themethod of claim 4, wherein step (a)(i) further comprises: admixing a pHmodifying agent into the cryo-poor plasma fraction to adjust the pH tobetween about 7.0 and about 7.5 while admixing the alcohol into thecryo-poor plasma fraction.